Today's Talking Points
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1Australia reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup — their best ever result — by beating Denmark and then taking Argentina to penalties. People forget this every time and are then surprised when Australia cause an upset. Don't be that person.
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2The Socceroos are in Group D with USA, Paraguay and Turkey — a tough group, but their 2022 run showed nothing should be ruled out when it comes to Australia.
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3Manager Tony Popovic was only appointed in 2024, making this effectively his first major tournament. Australia's results will define how his whole tenure is judged. That's quite a high-stakes debut.
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4Australian football exists in an odd space — the A-League hasn't quite taken hold as a major sport domestically, yet the national team consistently produces players good enough for Europe's top leagues. The infrastructure is somehow working despite everything.
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5Harry Souttar is their defensive lynchpin but has struggled with injuries. The squad's depth is thinner than in 2022, and how they manage without their best players is the key question going in.
🍺 Top Thing To Say Down The Pub
Australia beat Denmark and nearly beat Argentina on penalties at the last World Cup. People forget this and then act surprised. You don't need to be one of those people.
🚫 Avoid Saying
"At least they qualified" — they've been at six consecutive World Cups and reached the quarter-finals two years ago. The bar is higher now.