Australia’s football federation has announced a contract extension for national team manager Tony Popovic, according to a statement released by the organization. Popovic will remain in charge of the Socceroos through the next AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7th to February 5th, 2027.
Popovic’s extension comes ahead of Australia’s upcoming friendly match against Turkey on Sunday. Despite the long-term commitment, the manager stated his immediate focus remains on the current cycle, saying he is “absolutely concentrated on the World Cup” and ensuring the team is prepared for their group stage matches.
Popovic took over the Socceroos in September 2024 following a difficult start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. Australia had suffered a loss to Bahrain and a draw against Indonesia, putting their qualification hopes in jeopardy. Under Popovic’s leadership, the team rebounded, going undefeated and ultimately finishing second in their qualifying group behind Japan, securing direct qualification for the World Cup.
Popovic himself is a veteran of Australian football, having earned 56 caps and scoring 8 goals for the national team between 1995 and 2006. His appointment was seen as a move to stabilize the team and build a competitive squad for the future. The extension signals the federation’s confidence in his ability to continue that progress and navigate the challenges of the Asian Cup in 2027. This contract extension provides stability for the Socceroos as they look to build on their recent World Cup qualification and potentially surpass a round of sixteen finish in future tournaments.
