West Brom star handed crushing World Cup blow as 26-man squad confirmed

West Brom star Tom Rogic has received crushing news ahead of the World Cup.
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West Bromwich Albion star Tom Rogic has been handed a heartbreaking blow.

The 29-year-old joined the Baggies in September, making four league appearances so far, and he is still working towards full fitness having come in from the cold following his departure from Celtic in the summer. But in a heartbreaking blow, he has not been selected to go to the World Cup with Australia this winter.

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Rogic is a seasoned international with Australia, racking up as many as 53 senior caps and representing his country admirably over the last 10 years. He went with Australia for the last World Cup, in 2018, and he did contribute to their qualification for the upcoming edition of the tournament.

But he has not been selected as part of Graham Arnold’s 26-man squad for Qatar, and he will not travel with his national team teammates.

Rogic will surely be crushed by the news, given what representing his nation means to him, but it will give him chance to focus on his fitness as he catches up and adapts to English football.

New West Brom boss Carlos Corberan recently spoke about Rogic, saying: “Rogic is one player who maybe needs a little bit of time to adapt, but I am watching and he is making the right steps in the right direction. That’s the challenge he has, and it’s the challenge we have with every single player – to get to the best level that they can have.

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“For me in football the past doesn’t exist. The only thing that exists is the present and we need to be focused, ready and determined to win this moment right now and to give our best.”

West Brom will, of course, take a break for the World Cup, but Rogic will have time to work with Corberan on the training pitch while watching his beloved nation from afar.

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