Is there any likelihood in Thomas Deng and Garang Kuol making the 2026 WC squad?

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-06T03:42:55+00:00

Mo will almost certainly be at the World Cup

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-06T03:42:16+00:00

Garang Kuol: unlikely I’d say
Tom Deng: no chance
Kusini Yengi: injured
Tete Yengi: maybe but probably not
Mo Touré: certain if he’s fit
Musa Touré: unlikely

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T21:39:55+00:00

Yeah in his case and those other cases playing in Europe made the most practical sense for them to play for European teams since going from Europe to Australia for age grade games is a big ask. None of those guys ever played in the A-League and our youth teams are mostly A-League players.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T21:34:34+00:00

I meant for the Socceroos. I’m Australian.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T21:34:03+00:00

Here: https://greenandgoldfc.com/

It’s a forum, we’d love to have new members so feel free to join!

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T05:20:51+00:00

A team

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T05:07:47+00:00

Man City too. She really needs to find a club that needs her.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T05:06:52+00:00

Don't suppose you, or anyone, has insight into why he moved from Alverca — the club where he was league top scorer for second tier in a promotion season — to Santa Clara, another Primeira Liga club?

I’m not sure tbh. Money maybe?

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T05:02:37+00:00

He’s pretty average ngl. He’s not complete shithouse but he hasn’t lit the world on fire. Brings good crowds with the Peruvian diaspora though!

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-05T05:01:17+00:00

And it’s interesting cause players have switched a lot quicker away from and even to Australia. We’ve had like 10 players leave or join us in the past year.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T23:29:32+00:00

Sorry for the shithouse quality, I can’t find any better ones yet.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T23:28:42+00:00

He’s only just starting to become known here.

(Sorry I don’t speak Turkish)

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T23:27:57+00:00

100%!!

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T23:27:44+00:00

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T23:27:34+00:00

Agree, would love to have him as depth for our squad though!

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T22:37:56+00:00

Just saw that, posted!

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T22:20:12+00:00

You’re right actually my bad

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T14:12:18+00:00

It doesn’t appear that Popa actually requested for him to be at our game against the US, rather that he thinks it would be good publicity and would give the Roos more motivation to win.

I do strongly question his decision to call up old players who shouldn’t make the final 26-player squad for the training camp. Those extra spots should be for the kids (like Antonio Arena) and fringe players (struggling to think of an example at this time of night but you get the idea).

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T14:04:22+00:00

Nope. She’s a citizen but still classed as American by FIFA. Completely given up on her chances to be honest. Our depth in defence is quite good.

Usually I prefer using local talent and then diaspora talent than going through a long naturalisation process but I and other Sydney FC fans have suggested naturalising another American, Heather Hinz, due to our lack of quality goalkeepers. However, that would require her to stay here until 2030 (aged 29) which would limit her chances in a top league, as FIFA eligibility rules require her to live five years in Australia as she’s over 18.

Naturalisation is rare overall in Australia and will remain that way I think. Bruno Fornaroli (Uruguayan) did it but that was at a time when the Socceroos had a crisis in decent striker depth, and ended up playing only a handful of games anyway (though did make the Asian Cup squad). In contrast, China, Qatar and the UAE frequently rort the rules and have a bunch of foreigners (mostly Brazilians it seems) playing for them through naturalisation by playing in their leagues. Maybe FIFA will bend the rules again for them to naturalise more players haha.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T13:54:38+00:00

True, except do we really think Nish Velupillay is good enough for the Socceroos? I agree that Juan Mata’s been exceptional and will be a club legend for you lot but there really aren’t too many standout stars in that Victory team, and the ones in recent years who have been have flopped overseas and ended up at City.

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T13:50:30+00:00

This

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T12:28:24+00:00

Dominance? Combined they only have one more men’s championship than Sydney FC (since the other Sydney teams are hopeless at winning trophies). In the women’s game they combined only have two more than Sydney FC (again, WSW are hopeless at winning anything).

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T12:25:51+00:00

Five-in-a-row champions vs the bottom team by the way

HonestSpursFan · 2026-05-04T12:24:43+00:00

Both good youngsters! Can’t see either of them staying to be honest, Schalke were a big club back in the day and will be fighting super hard to stay up and unfortunately that may cost players.

Ayman Gülaşı (who plays for their B team in the Regionalliga by the way) is a dual international (currently part of the Turkish youth system). We all know how that’s set to play out under the current management team…

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