Alameda: Coach Tony Popovic has signed a short-term contract extension that sets up a possible tilt at silverware with the Socceroos at next year’s Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
As preparations continue for Australia’s World Cup opener against Turkey, the question of Popovic’s immediate future has been settled with the announcement of his new deal, which tacks on an extra seven months to the end of his current agreement.
While Football Australia had been hoping to tie down Popovic for the next full World Cup cycle – and they still might – the proximity of the Asian Cup, which kicks off on January 7, appears to have prompted this outcome.
The Socceroos have been drawn in Group D for the Asian Cup, alongside Tajikistan, Singapore, and Graham Arnold’s Iraq, and it is a tournament Popovic will fancy they have a chance of winning, especially if they first enjoy a productive World Cup.
“I’m delighted that I will continue to coach the Socceroos through to the AFC Asian Cup 2027,” Popovic said in a statement.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Socceroos, and it is a role that I thoroughly enjoy and one I have never taken for granted.
“My absolute focus right now is on the FIFA World Cup 2026. I’m proud to lead my country into a World Cup, but most importantly, I want to ensure that our team is fully prepared and focused on our group matches against Turkey, the United States, and Paraguay.
“From the moment I took over, I have tried to factor in the long-term interests of the Socceroos while ensuring that we achieve the short-term results, which in the first instance was qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Popovic already knows what it’s like to lift a trophy in Saudi Arabia. It was there, in Riyadh, where he steered the Western Sydney Wanderers to victory in the final of the 2014 AFC Champions League against Al Hilal, arguably the greatest club-level accomplishment in Australian soccer history.
The length of the deal then enables him to evaluate his options after the tournament, or entertain interest from elsewhere in world football.
Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler said the “stability and continuity” offered by Popovic’s extension was important given the young, developing nature of the current Socceroos playing group.
“Tony is a world-class coach, and he has proven his ability to deliver results while developing talent at the same time,” Kugeler said.
“Tony’s positive impact on the Socceroos and Football Australia has been clear, from securing direct qualification for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 12 years, to building out the depth of the squad and laying the foundations for future success.
“We can see the growing excitement among Socceroos fans … this extension provides clarity and enables Football Australia to plan with absolute confidence.”
