Socceroos enter last chance saloon with Mexico friendly to shape World Cup dreams | Jack Snape

T he World Cup might have snuck up on many Australians, but the reality of the men’s football showpiece will leap out on Sunday, take hold of the nation and not let go for a month. The Socceroos play co-hosts Mexico in Los Angeles’ historic Rose Bowl in one of the marquee warm-up matches ahead of a tournament shared across North America that is now bursting with 48 teams. The Mexico showdown serves as a challenge for Australia against elite, motivated opposition. But for a handful of Socceroos, this weekend is also a test to see whether or not they will be allowed to stay in the US. It won’t be visa issues that send them home, rather it will be coach Tony Popovic telling them they haven’t made his final cut. Twenty-nine players have been in camp for the past week in Florida, vying for 26 places in the World Cup squad to be named immediately after the clash against Mexico. But the belated arrival of Cristian Volpato – who has switched allegiance from Italy and will join his new squad mates on Saturday – has added a new layer of intrigue to Popovic’s selection. It has also exposed another squad member who might have thought they were safely in the 26 to the disappointment of being cut so close to realising a career dream. There is no guarantee, however, those fringe players will even get the chance to take the field against Mexico. …