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Head coach Tony Popovic has extended his contract with the Australian national team, committing to lead the squad through to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced this Friday, on the eve of their 2026 World Cup debut.
“This role brings me immense satisfaction, but it’s a responsibility I never take for granted. My absolute focus right now is the World Cup. I’m proud to lead my country, but above all, I want to ensure the team is fully prepared and focused for the group stage matches,” the coach stated, as quoted by the federation.
Popovic, 52, took over from Graham Arnold in September 2024 and successfully guided Australia to their seventh appearance in the premier international tournament, and sixth in a row. This achievement meant the Socceroos avoided the Asian and intercontinental play-offs, a route they had to take in both 2018 and 2022.
The former central defender boasts a record of ten wins, four draws, and four losses at the helm of Australia. He is set to become the first individual to participate in the World Cup as both a player and a coach for his country, 20 years after being part of the squad that reached the round of 16 in Germany.
The Australians are placed in Group D of the 2026 World Cup and will face Turkey on Saturday in Vancouver, Canada. Subsequent fixtures include matches against co-hosts USA in Seattle and Paraguay in San Francisco Bay.
Following the 2026 World Cup, Tony Popovic will lead Australia in the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled from January to February 2027 in Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos will be aiming to reclaim the trophy they won as hosts in 2015.
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