Australia’s men’s national team coach Tony Popovic is preparing to finalise the Socceroos’ World Cup squad and has announced a 26-player group for the tournament. Multiple outlets report that Popovic is making his final decisions after a period in which more players than available spots remain in contention. One report says there are 29 contenders competing for the 26 positions, reflecting a late-stage selection battle among the squad candidates. Another source focuses on the uncertainty for players still vying for places, noting that several remain in the running as Popovic nears his squad call. The coverage collectively describes the selection process as culminating in the coach’s formal announcement of the roster and highlights the narrowing of options from a larger pool of eligible players to the final 26. While details about individual inclusions or exclusions are not provided in the shared excerpts, the reporting is consistent that the squad is now set at 26 players and that the final selection involves decisions made from a group of 29 players.