Former Portsmouth favourite Alex Robertson sees hopes shattered following ruthless Socceroos call
Former Pompey player Alex Robertson has seen his 2026 World Cup dream ended
Former Pompey favourite Alex Robertson is having to readjust his summer plans.
The midfielder, who was part of the Blues’ 2023-24 League One title-winning side, looked poised to spend a large chunk of the weeks ahead on the other side of the Atlantic as part of Australia’s World Cup squad.
Along with Pompey defender Hayden Matthews, the 23-year-old Cardiff player had been invited to be part of manager Tony Popovic’s pre-tournament training camp in Florida as preparations for the competition ramped up.
But unlike Matthews, who was forced to withdraw from the group due injury last week, Robertson has now departed after being ruthlessly told he would not make the final 26-man squad for the the USA, Mexico and Canada event.
Indeed, he was one of eight players told their services were no longer required in Sarasota as Popovic closes in on selecting the players he believes will best serve his country when their latest World Cup Finals appearance kicks off against Turkey in Vancouver on June 14.
Before then, the Socceroos take on Mexico (May 30) and Switzerland (June 6) in their two final warm-up games. Yet Robertson, won’t be involved, despite putting in the hard yards with the assembled group since the regular season finished in England at the beginning of May.
Decision critcised by Socceroos fans
Scottish-born Robertson, who The News understands was open to a move back to Pompey last summer, made a return to the Socceroos team in March after Popovic previously cast doubt over his eligibility.
Up until then, his last appearance for Australia was against Peru in 2023 under previous manager Graham Arnold.
His snub means he nor any of Pompey’s current Aussie contingent will be heading to the World Cup, including Adrian Segečić, who turned his back on the Socceroos earlier this year to play for Croatia.
Segečić remains on standby for the Vatreni, after just missing out on Zlatko Dalić’s 26-man squad.
But with Robertson, who registered six goals and three assists for Cardiff as they won promotion back to the Championship, axed from Popovic’s thinking altogether, many Socceroos fans are questioning their manager’s judgement.
‘How have you got A-League players infront of Robertson??,’ asked Chapsdrxy on X.
@bennyisles wrote: ‘Releasing Robertson is nuts - the one young player we have with a quality CM ceiling - nuts’.
@JyeTristian commented: ‘Alex Robertson?…. well there goes another promising young talent. Popovic will kill the next generation Socceroos.’
Meanwhile, @jerryjamesaus said: ‘Not selecting Robertson is an absolute shocker - Popovic clearly playing favourites. Really disappointing given Robertson is one of the most gifted players of his generation.’