https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/football-australia-and-socceroos-score-fresh-partnership-subway

We are now the Subway Socceroos! Shoot me. 

Huge get for Football Australia. $$$$$ who cares how we are introduced every now and then. We'll call them Socceroos or Australia still. Important for the game to secure that backing.

Looks like a pretty good sponsorship deal: 

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fresh-deal-socceroos-ink-record-breaking-sponsorship-deal-20220921-p5bjv1.html

According to industry sources, the sponsorship is worth just under $12 million in total, making it the largest ever national-team deal in Australian football history, even outstripping the Matildas’ lucrative contract with CommBank signed last year.

‘subway Socceroos’ sounds better than ‘caltex Socceroos’ or ‘qantas Socceroos’ at least

This morning’s pre-match press conference, featuring Tony Vidmar, who was also named in the @SUBWAY #Socceroos Team of the Century which will be released later today

Is the Subway sponsorship the reason the shorts are now 'Subway' green instead of the normal darker green?

In goals the Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’ would be well-served with Mark Schwarzer, Mathew Ryan or Jimmy McNabb between the sticks.

At the back, international attackers would dread coming up against defenders with the steel and skill of Scott Chipperfield, Joe Marston, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Alex Tobin, Tony Vidmar, and Peter Wilson.

In midfield, Australia would possess class, composure, and creativity with Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Mile Jedinak, Harry Kewell, Aaron Mooy, and Johnny Warren pulling the strings.While in attack, goals would rain from the boots and heads of ace internationals including John Aloisi, Tim Cahill, Reg Date, John Kosmina, Judy Masters, Alf Quill, and Mark Viduka.

Tactically and motivationally, the Socceroos’ ‘Team of the Century’ would be ready for any challenge, with Guus Hiddink as Coach, supported by assistants Ange Postecoglou, Graham Arnold, and Rale Rasic – four men that have made outstanding contributions to the Australian game and the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup story.

Great team 👏 

Bit of a dull name.

Why not get a more colourful sponsor. How about the 'Sexyland Socceroos'?

With that name, they'd become a popular 2nd team for a lot of people. And it would sell Australia as an interest place for people to visit.

I can't stand hearing any of them but at least there's something Australian about qantas.

Uzbekistan 2  Cameroon 0

I think in the next cycle with more slots they might try to get Waldemar Anton capped who I believe is eligible. I don't think he'll make Germany anymore. 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11686/12703448/hamza-choudhury-can-have-huge-impact-if-he-elects-to-play-for-bangladesh-says-watford-boss-rob-edwards

FT: 🇰🇭 Cambodia 0-1 Bangladesh 🇧🇩

Rakib Hossain hands Bangladesh their first win of the year as they beat Cambodia in Phnom Penh!

FT: 🇹🇭 Thailand 1-1 Malaysia 🇲🇾 (3-5 on penalties)

Malaysia reach the #KingsCup48 Final!

Harimau Malaya edge hosts Thailand on penalties & set up a date with Tajikistan.

FT: 🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago 1-2 Tajikistan 🇹🇯

Tajikistan edge their Caribbean opponents to reach the #KingsCup48 Final!

Japan vs USA in Düsseldorf in the afternoon which is somewhat odd for a Friday game. 

Japan 2 USA 0
Hungary beat Germany away 

Uzbekistan have always seemed to be a team on the cusp of being a serious threat - we've somehow managed to avoid them during qualifying, but I reckon they'd have pushed us hard, especially in Tashkent. With a couple more quality players and a good coach they'll be up for qualifying now the world cup is 48 teams 

I've always liked them. There's a robustness and mystique about them. This cycle they cruelly got pipped when they made a very solid start and Saudi and Iran were in fire straits early on. I think two cycles ago they were within a goal of qualifying automatically to South Korea's panic stations late on in added time. 

Pre tournament rankings are in.
France 4
Denmark 10
Tunisia 30
Australia 38

Ghana the lowest at 60. 

Bumping past FTBL spam 

https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/four-reasons-why-socceroos-will-progress-to-world-cup-knockouts/pprwlbkcn

Could be worse....Meatball Sub....anyone?
Meatball mascots rolling on the field lol.

https://fifaworldcupmania.com/fifa-world-cup-2022-warm-up-schedule.html

Saudi playing about 5 games. Tunisia face Iran Nov 16. We've got to get something set up. 

Got some top notch Roos replicas on dhgate for 19€ each. I remember those going to the 2018 tournament were keen on taking a bunch of different team kits to swap or wear. Maybe something for 2022.

Numerous reports saying Arnold has stated we won't have a warm up game. Disappointing. Iran face Nicaragua and start even before us. Sure we could play on the Thursday. Even a Qatari club would be alright.

Is this the end for Sainsbury, Rogic and Taggart? Until they say they're out they'll be available but I think they'll probably just want to to focus on club and avoid all that travel now. Massively grateful for the memories and a bit bitter how it's ended for some. I'm glad Rogic seems at least healthy in the mind.

Taggart still only 29, but on the other hand has only 16 caps. It's a shame his purple patch in Korea and subsequent move to Japan coincided with COVID-19. Feels a bit of waste, tbh.

I kind of enjoy the changing of the guard moment following a World Cup. How long will Leckie, Mooy and Behich keep going? Also not getting any younger. 

I imagine they'll want to stick around for next year's Asian Cup, but after that I reckon they'll start to be phased out in preparation for 2026

The Asian Cup being pushed back to 2024 may just accelerate the changing of the guard as it’s not like previous cycles where the older players are needed just 6 months after the WC. On this occasion we’ll have a full year of friendlies to prepare a new squad for the tournament. 

Has this been confirmed ?

Qatar is the new host but Wikipedia is suggesting July 2023.