Nice idea, but I reckon Football Australia will try to play bigger teams than us for the Sept-Oct-Nov windows. Likely in Europe.
This WC cycle they have only played Ecuador x2, Argentina, Mexico, England and us outside of AFC teams. It's been all AFC for them since October 2023.
The FA and Poppa will be dead keen to test themselves against some bigger teams. And there will likely be a few Euro teams teams with byes in Sept, like it seems we have managed with Norway & hopefully Poland in October.
Was some talk in Aus that the game against us at Brentford in Oct 2023 (they won easily 2-0) was a bit of a waste of time. That the Soceroos don't learn anything from playing a smaller nations like us. We didn't test them at all.
Of course this is all reliant of them having WC qualified by the end of the June window. That ain't guaranteed, but they are in a good position to do so.
This WC cycle they have only played Ecuador x2, Argentina, Mexico, England and us outside of AFC teams. It's been all AFC for them since October 2023.
The FA and Poppa will be dead keen to test themselves against some bigger teams. And there will likely be a few Euro teams teams with byes in Sept, like it seems we have managed with Norway & hopefully Poland in October.
Was some talk in Aus that the game against us at Brentford in Oct 2023 (they won easily 2-0) was a bit of a waste of time. That the Soceroos don't learn anything from playing a smaller nations like us. We didn't test them at all.
Of course this is all reliant of them having WC qualified by the end of the June window. That ain't guaranteed, but they are in a good position to do so.
Hopefully it happens in Sept, but the March or June windows next year might be more likely when FA will for sure will want the Socceroos playing at least once in Aussie before a World Cup farewell. And it won't be easy to get international teams to Australia, before a Nth American World Cup.
And yes some nice coin for the likes of Jesse Randall & Liam Gillion, even if they doesn't make the final WC squad. I presume they get some pro rata share being involved in qualifiers.
Under its deal with players, and should FIFA maintain the prizemoney next year, every member of New Zealand's squad is in line for over NZ$600,000.
And yes some nice coin for the likes of Jesse Randall & Liam Gillion, even if they doesn't make the final WC squad. I presume they get some pro rata share being involved in qualifiers.
Under its deal with players, and should FIFA maintain the prizemoney next year, every member of New Zealand's squad is in line for over NZ$600,000.