Group D
Australia
- Manager
- Tony Popovic
- Squad
- 26 players
- Announced
- May 31
Tournament projection
- Advance
- 72.9%
- Round of 16
- 38.5%
- Quarter-final
- 14.5%
- Semi-final
- 6.0%
- Final
- 2.1%
- Champion
- 0.7%
Market champion price 0.1% · model edge +0.6%.
Scouting report
updated 2026-06-04A disciplined 3-4-3 with a box-4 midfield that drops into a 5-4-1 — 2nd best defence in AFC qualifying. Will need to be near-perfect in a tough Group D.
Style · 3-4-3 — box-4 midfield (2 CDMs, 2 CAMs), wing-backs going beyond, crosses into the box cut back to the box-4 CMs; drops into a 5-4-1 defensively.
Counter-reliance ·mediumSolid block first, breaks via wing-backs
Strengths
- +2nd best defence in AFC qualifying
- +Disciplined 5-4-1 defensive shape
- +Wing-backs beyond and crosses cut back to arriving midfielders
Key players
- Mohamed Toure · 22yo CFGoalscorer (10 in 13 for Norwich at the end of the season), pace to run behind and power to hold up
- Tactics
- Defend in a compact 5-4-1, then attack through wing-backs and cutbacks to the box-4 midfielders. Group D is evenly matched — they must be near-perfect throughout.
Sources: John Walker (@johnwalker_1986) — pre-tournament tactical scouting, May–Jun 2026
Group fixtures
Squad
Goalkeepers
- Mathew RyanLevante
- Paul IzzoRanders FC
- Patrick BeachMelbourne City
Defenders
- Jordan BosFeyenoord Rotterdam
- Aziz BehichMelbourne City
- Harry SouttarLeicester City
- Alessandro CircatiParma
- Lucas HerringtonColorado Rapids
- Cameron BurgessSwansea City
- Kai TrewinNew York City FC
- Milos DegenekApoel Nicosia
- Jason GeriaAlbirex Niigata
- Jacob ItalianoGrazer AK
Midfielders
- Jackson IrvineSt. Pauli
- Aiden O'NeillNew York City FC
- Paul Okon JrSydney FC
- Cameron DevlinHeart of Midlothian
Forwards
- Connor MetcalfeSt. Pauli
- Mathew LeckieMelbourne City
- Nishan VelupillayMelbourne Victory
- Cristian VolpatoSassuolo
- Nestory IrankundaWatford
- Awer MabilCastellón
- Ajdin HrusticHeracles Almelo
- Mohamed ToureNorwich City
- Tete YengiMachida Zelvia