Former Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic expressed confidence on Monday that there is ample time to rescue Australia's faltering 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Popovic was appointed as the new head coach of the Socceroos, stepping in after Graham Arnold resigned last week.
The 51-year-old takes over following a disappointing start to the qualifiers, where Australia suffered a shocking 1-0 home defeat to Bahrain, followed by a scoreless draw with Indonesia in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers for the 2026 global competition to be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
These results have left Australia's World Cup qualification hanging in the balance. A must-win home game against China is looming on October 10, followed by a challenging away fixture in Japan.
The Socceroos need to finish in the top two of their six-team group to guarantee a spot at the 2026 World Cup in North America or potentially face another round of qualifying.
"This campaign hasn't started the best, but I know there's enough time, there's enough games," Popovic said after signing a two-year deal. "We should be aiming for top spot to go through automatically."
Australia has qualified for the last five World Cups, reaching the round of 16 in Qatar in 2022. Earlier this year, they were in excellent form during the second stage of Asian qualifying, securing six straight victories without conceding a goal.
However, their recent performances against Bahrain and Indonesia have been underwhelming.
Popovic, who had been out of work since leaving Melbourne Victory following their A-League grand final loss in May, acknowledged the challenges ahead. "That's football," he remarked. "Results can sometimes mask when something is good. Look at the history of what's been done, a group of players that did remarkable things over there in Qatar. I understand the responsibility that's required and the expectation of everyone."
Football Australia chief James Johnson expressed confidence in Popovic's appointment, calling him "the best possible candidate."
"Tony's proven leadership and strategic football acumen, combined with his deep understanding of Australian football, our players, and what it means to be a Socceroo, makes him the ideal choice to lead our national team moving forward," Johnson said. "His international experience, particularly across Asia, both as a player and a coach, further strengthens his ability to navigate the global football landscape and drive success for Australia on the world stage."
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New Socceroos coach Popovic confident in saving bid to reach World Cup
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