Team Webmaster : Australia’s new national team coach Tony Popovic confirmed on Monday that there is still plenty of time to save the Socceroos from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, after he was appointed to fill the position.
The former Crystal Palace defender replaced Graham Arnold who resigned on Friday (20/9), after his team lost 0-1 to Bahrain and then was held to a goalless draw by Indonesia.
The defeat made it difficult for the Australian national team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They now have to win their home game against China on October 10, before travelling to Japan.
Also read: Graham resigns after being balanced by Indonesia, Australia looking for new coach
Australia need to finish in the top two positions in the six-team group to secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America, or they will have to play one more qualifying round.
” The journey has not started in the best way, but I know there is still time, there are still enough matches, ” Popovic said after signing a two-year deal.
“You know, we should be aiming for the top spot to qualify straight away,” he added.
Australia have appeared in five World Cups. They had reached the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
They started 2024 quite well in the second qualifying round of the Asian zone with six consecutive wins without conceding a single goal.
But they struggled to show the best game against Bahrain and Indonesia.
Popovic, who has been unemployed since leaving Melbourne Victory in May, said: “that’s football.”
“Sometimes results can overshadow something good … looking at the history of what has been done, these players did incredible things there (Qatar),” he said.
See also: Australia won the World Cup without a goal
“I understand the responsibility that entails and what everyone’s expectations are,” he added.
Popovic played 58 games for Australia and enjoyed successful spells as a player at Sydney United, Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Japan and Crystal Palace in England.
As a coach, he has led Western Sydney Wanderers to win the Asian Champions League in 2014, and won the Australian league with Perth Glory.