Can Tony Popovic reignite Australia's World Cup hopes? ⚽️🔥
Former Crystal Palace defender and Aussie football legend Tony Popovic believes there's still time to turn things around for the Socceroos' shaky 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Appointed as the new head coach on Monday, the 51-year-old is stepping up to the plate with confidence and determination.
Popovic takes over from Graham Arnold, who resigned last week after Australia suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat at home to Bahrain, followed by a goalless draw with Indonesia in the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
These unexpected results have left Australia's World Cup dreams hanging by a thread. With a critical home match against winless China on October 10 and a challenging away game in Japan on the horizon, the pressure is on.
The Socceroos must finish in the top two of their six-team group to secure an automatic spot in the 2026 World Cup, or they'll face the stress of another qualifying round.
"This campaign hasn't started the best, but I know there's enough time, there's enough games," Popovic stated after signing a two-year deal. "You know, we should be aiming for top spot to go through automatically."
Australia has been a World Cup regular, qualifying for the last five tournaments and reaching the round of 16 in Qatar in 2022. Earlier this year, they were on fire 🔥, dominating the second stage of Asian qualifying with six straight wins without conceding a goal.
However, their recent performances against Bahrain and Indonesia have been a stark contrast to their earlier form.
Popovic, who parted ways with Melbourne Victory after their A-League grand final loss in May, remains optimistic. "That's football," he said. "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 full support for the new coach, calling Popovic "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."
Can Popovic rally the Socceroos and keep Australia's World Cup dreams alive? 🌟 Stay tuned as the journey unfolds!
Reference(s):
New Socceroos coach Popovic confident in saving bid to reach World Cup
cgtn.com
