The World Cup is the most prestigious of tournaments in football.
Some may argue that the European Champions League produces the best football alongside some domestic cups in Europe, but nothing can match the pride, passion and electricity generated from a World Cup campaign on any player, coach or nation.
Stars have been uncovered and careers have been defined by World Cup success.
Whilst tournaments can result in lacklustre moves and talent deception, we ignore these facts for a month to only think of golden generations and bright futures. As the Socceroos mount another world footballing expedition in only 100 days, here are some young stars in the making wh should be on that plane to Qatar.
Players’ ages are in brackets.
Cameron Devlin (24)
You’d probably be surprised to find out that Devlin, the 24-year-old midfielder who plays week-in and week-out for Scottish Premiership side Hearts, is still uncapped at senior international level.
His ability to transition quickly from defence to attack for a Wellington Phoenix that relied on dynamic counter attacking play drew plenty of interest from mainland A-League sides as well as European admirers. His move to Hearts went under the radar as it immediately followed him signing on for the Newcastle Jets in 2021.
Perhaps the gravity of this move to Hearts was lost in the frantic Covid-ridden world at the time, but he has since become an integral part of a side that finished third behind the Rangers and Celtic in the season just gone.
With Hearts starting well again this season, Devlin has more than earned a cap for his country and deserves a tournament to show what he can do. Whilst his lack of involvement thus far in international football could imply how strong the Australian midfield is in 2022, I’d be booking his seat in place of Gianni Stensness or Kenny Dougall considering the quality of football he’s been playing as of late.
Tyrese Francois (22)
Tyrese Francois, who was impressive at both the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and recent U23 Asian Cup, simply must be involved in the Socceroos sooner rather than later in order to consolidate the status of a player capable of great things. The Fulham youngster is considered a talent by his London-based club after being handed a two-year extension just this year.
The lack of senior football may concern some fans and selectors, however, the faith given to the Campbelltown local in the form of this new deal speaks volumes about the talent Francois is seen to possess.
As previously mentioned, the Socceroos midfield is currently full of European-based talent, however with Dougall only playing a bit-part role at Blackpool and Stensness playing in Norway (a far weaker league than the English top flight), Francois should be considered as an option.
If his appearance off the bench against Liverpool, whilst brief, can become consistent up until the final squads are announced, the pedigree of the Premier League should get him over the line with passport intact. Francois could be selected for England in the future if he emerges as a world-beater.
It’s safer to lock him up whilst he’s young and bursting with enthusiasm.
Marco Tilio (20)
Obvious to most but still worth a mention. The Melbourne City youngster has already established himself as a bright young star in the A-Leagues, winning the double in 2020-21 and scoring in a famous Olympic win against Argentina via a spectacular effort from outside the area.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Tilio is almost guaranteed a spot in the World Cup squad due to his meteoric rise to prominence down under. He is quick, explosive and possesses all the skill to play at the highest levels. With the ability to score in clutch situations and to create space providing assists to his teammates, Tilio is more than ready to fulfil a role and his potential is limitless.
An impressive performance in Qatar would surely see him secure a move to Europe and at 20, the earlier he can be tested against the best opposition available the better.
The Melbourne City starlet would surely be a great bench option for the Socceroos and should be allowed to express himself in short, sharp and well-timed spells in the Arabian Gulf come November.
Garang Kuol (17)
Young, raw and hungry, the Central Coast youth product experienced a meteoric rise to A-League prominence in back end of the 2021-22 season, contributing four goals and an assist as the Mariners launched an exciting finals campaign.
Whilst he has only played a total of 145 minutes of professional football, the younger brother of former Mariner and current Stuttgart player Alou Kuol has excited many fans in Australia, being invited to the Talent ID match within the national team framework earlier this month.
His end-of-season glory run saw fans vote him into the A-League All Stars match against Barcelona, in which he managed to dazzle the Spanish giants’ defence on more than one occasion off the bench. Yes, Kuol needs quality first team minutes to catch the eye of Graham Arnold and win the trust of Socceroos fans and selectors.
He would be the youngest Socceroo to play in a World Cup since Macarthur’s new signing, Daniel Arzani. If Kuol starts well in a Mariners jersey between October and November, Graham Arnold may select the youngster to turn some heads in Qatar.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Some good socceroo news: Ajdin #Hrustic is one step away to #Verona from #EintrachtFrankfurt for €3M. Agreed personal terms with his agent Fali Ramadani.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
“He [Arnold] picks the lads that played for him and not necessarily the form players.” I suspect it’s more the case that he picks players with whom he is familiar. He may never have seen some youngsters playing in Europe, or at least he may not have seen them for a few years. The result is that he would rather go with “safe” selections, than “high-risk,high return” selections. Having said that, I agree with what Brian said: the WC is not the arena in which to blood new players. For the WC and Asian Cup select the best “known” players. Once those are over, stop selecting the players who will be too old next time round and try out the youngsters.
TenTribesOfTexas
Guest
Kuol has done nothing to justify senior selection at this stage and the wc finals are not a development opportunity. That comes in the early stages of qualification against weaker opposition where the risk of defeat is reduced. 'In other Olyroos Abroad news, Alou Kuol enjoyed a productive return to VfB Stuttgart after spending the second half of last season on loan at SV Sandhausen. The 20-year-old came on in the second half of Stuttgart’s 7-1 victory over amateur team SV Böblingen and scored three goals.' https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/aussies-abroad-wrap-4
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Kuol’s 4 goals came mostly from a hattrick in a friendly match against an amateur side. Other than that he has done nothing. Even when out on loan from Stuttgart in the German 4th division he struggled only kicking 1 goal in 13 matches." - Garang Kuol (in the article) hasn't played in Germany. Are you thinking of Alou Kuol? Alou scored 7 goals in 18 matches last season with VFB Stuttgart II, none friendlies. He's now at SV Sandhausen in 2. Bundesliga but has only played in 2 matches with no goals so far. - (Garang) Kuol's breakout Isuzu UTE A-League season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0AQW8c-IYo Alou Kuol | Best Goals & Assists | A-League Season 2020/21 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E87GqEq-PxM
Grem
Roar Rookie
It’s interesting to see the young names thrown around as possibilities - Tilio, Devlin, Pepuion (who played a good role for Brighton recently. What do they all have in common? Sydney FC academy players! We are producing some beauties!
Grem
Roar Rookie
Devlin - man of the match yesterday. He’s still worth a look.
Ten Tribes of Texas
Guest
The squad size for Qatar is 26 not 23.
Ten Tribes of Texas
Guest
Kuol's 4 goals came mostly from a hattrick in a friendly match against an amateur side. Other than that he has done nothing. Even when out on loan from Stuttgart in the German 4th division he struggled only kicking 1 goal in 13 matches. Duke will need to be replaced after WC/AC due to his age. He will be 37 at the next wc in usa. Maclaren, Taggart & Cummins as smaller cf will be available for that world cup. Aust needs to bring in a taller c.f. option to replace Duke - Iredale, Juric or better still bring in Volpato to develop in that position. Volpato is 188cm left footer. Left footers are in short supply in Aust football. All the more reason to accelerate the introduction of Franscoire and Peupion - both of who are left footers - and Volpato.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Arnold getting in Aussie Guss IMO is a stroke of genius ..... His insights and guidance will be handy .... Aussie Guss is brilliant at spotting young talent and he knows Europe very well.... AG, could be a huge blessing for the kids trying to break in....
Brian
Guest
Given our abilities I wouldn't worry about getting out of the group, we need players that can worry the opponent. Maclaren a better option then Tilio for Melb Cty but not for the national team.
Brian
Guest
As long as its the dquad and not the XI we are talking about. The World Cup is not the time to blood youngsters as Ange did in Brazil. We lost all 3 games. Every 4 years we get the World Cup and Asian Cup within 6 months of each other. We should be playing our very best team in that period. After the Asian Cup in June 2023 there will be a good 2 years before the qualifiers get serious in 2025 to blood youngsters.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
This is a great article. I am so pleased that the football community's perspective is broadening. This country is blessed with talent in my opinion, we just dont know it yet, and we just need it to age and surface. With respect to the article, the first man I would have on that plane is Jake Brimmer. I am the first to acknowledge that I bang on about the kid, but this lad did his youth time with Liverpool, and then has returned to be potentially one the best players if not the best player in our league. The kid is a class act. Cam Peupion came off the bench for Brighton the other day and set one up, Jay-Rich Bagelhou is a defensive wall and in Palace's lower grades, he had a solid U23s Asian Cup. I think our biggest issue is getting past Arnold's "mates policy". He picks the lads that played for him and not necessarily the form players. I would suggest that exposure for the likes of Brimmer and Francois can only be a positive thing for the next iteration.
Garry
Roar Rookie
What about Nkolo? I didnt rate him last year but was very impressed with his display against Sydney? And Stensness & Duke could easily be dropped to make room for some of the others..
Garry
Roar Rookie
Personally I didnt see much from Rich re the U23 games – he seems vulnerable to quick skilled players..then so’s Souttar! :happy:
Garry
Roar Rookie
We should always pick the best '23'.. you play the tactics that suits the players(what Guus did).NOT the other way round . You dont know for sure what system theyll use in the group against you - good teams are versatile - and if you get out of the group you could have a totally different system to play against.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Some may argue re Arzani but Ive been impressed with his showing for Macarthur so far. He looks like he could return to Europe quickly once his confidence returns.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Add Caceres, Garucchio, Miller and Brimmer and we’re done! .. Im not sure yet that Cummin’s deserves a go but Id prefer him to Duke. Both give you stromg effort but Cummins has more options. Then theres Arzani if he regains his touch.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The only question for Francois is he willing to get into the physical condition necessary. The passing game is already there.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
I like this comment. Are you a Coach Freddy? I think sometimes we look at the available players, rank them on what league they play in, how many minutes, stature of a player, reputation, popularity..... ans pick the "best" 23. But those master coaches will be looking at every game we have to play, possible match ups in round of 16 and quarters and deciding now how they will approach it and what player will best fit that system as well as how they are going to change the game (plan B and C) if things don't go well, or go exactly to plan. It is not just a matter of taking the "best" 11 with 11 back ups to cover for injury/fatigue and 3 keepers (I know that adds up to 25 not 23). I think there is always space in a squad like that to take a punt on a young kid or a wild card though.
AGO74
Guest
He's at that real career tipping point that a lot of players reach where they either continue their upward trajectory into the first team on a more regular basis in the EPL or they don't quite make it and either end up getting farmed out on loan or sold to clubs in lesser leagues. Its hard enough to make it to where he is currently with Fulham as a bench player with occasional sparing minutes - even harder again to go that next level and become a key player.