Tony Popovic had extra cause to celebrate the Socceroos’ 2-0 win over Turkiye in their opening FIFA World Cup game.
The head coach’s contract has been renewed through to the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Football Australia (FA) said on Friday, just before the game.
Capped 58 times as a player, Popovic has become the first person to play and coach at a World Cup.
“I’m delighted that I will continue to coach the Socceroos through to the AFC Asian Cup 2027,” he says.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Socceroos; it is a role that I thoroughly enjoy and one I have never taken for granted.
“My absolute focus right now is on the World Cup,” he adds.
“I want to ensure that our team is fully prepared and focused on our group matches.”
Appointed in September 2024, Popovic took charge of his first matches in October 2024 and guided the team to direct qualification for the Cup. The qualifying campaign was underpinned by the Socceroos’ equal second-longest undefeated streak while his first 11 games marked the second-longest undefeated start to a Socceroos coaching career. Popovic coached 18 Socceroos matches for 10 wins, four draws. Source: Football Australia
FA WELCOMES POPOVIC DECISION
Football Australia CEO Martin Kugeler says the contract renewal coming when it did was a “fantastic outcome”.
“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,” he says.
Kugeler says the decision “provides clarity” and will allow them to plan for life after the Cup as they look to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
FA Executive Director of Football, Heather Garriock says Popovic has reinforced why he is regarded as one of the game’s leading coaches.
“Tony has brought elite standards, strong leadership and a relentless commitment to high performance … he created a culture of accountability, professionalism and belief that has driven individual and collective growth,” she says.
“He has expanded the depth of the squad, provided opportunities for the next generation of Australian talent and positioned the team strongly for the future.
“… there is genuine excitement about what this group can achieve under the stability of Tony’s leadership.”
WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN OPENS IN STYLE
At the World Cup, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored to fire Australia to a 2-0 win over Turkiye in Vancouver, Canada.
Young goalkeeper Patrick Beach, 22, also played a starring role by saving a goal shot from Arda Guler and launching a lightning counter-attack that set up the goal by Irankunda (later named player of the game).
FIFA says Beach pulled off eight saves in his international debut.
“Yeah, it (Australia’s first goal) was quite special,” Popovic told www.fifa.com after the game.
“You see the young boys combining to score a goal and you can’t underestimate what this will do for their confidence and belief. Emotionally it will take a lot out of the players this game, so we’ve got to get back and recover well and focus on the US…”
Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella says they were let down by finishing.
“We created so many chances but we couldn’t score. That’s football.
“They defended very well; it was difficult to get into the box,” he says.
“They did well at scoring on the counter-attack, which is their best weapon.”
He says “all is not lost” with two games left to play.
“I’m confident. We’re disappointed with the result but there’s time to move on. We have to stay positive.”
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