Football Australia has quickly appointed Tony Popovic as the new coach of the Socceroos, just three days after Graham Arnold’s resignation. The former international defender will lead the team on a two-year contract, with an immediate focus on turning around their fortunes ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Popovic expressed his excitement, calling the appointment a “dream come true.” He emphasized his honor and pride in taking on the role, stating, “This is the ultimate challenge, and I’m excited by it.”
The Socceroos are set to host China in Adelaide on October 10, followed by a challenging match against undefeated Japan in Saitama on October 15. After a disappointing start, which included two winless matches against Bahrain and Indonesia, Australia currently sits fifth in their qualification group, three points away from a direct path to the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“This campaign hasn’t started the best, but I know there’s enough time and enough games to aim for that top spot to qualify automatically,” Popovic remarked. The top two teams from the group secure automatic qualification, while third or fourth place would require the Socceroos to navigate through additional rounds in Asia and possibly face an inter-continental playoff.
At 51, Popovic brings a wealth of experience to the role, having earned 58 caps for the Socceroos and coaching stints in Australia, Turkey, and Greece. He famously won the Asian Champions League with the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014 and most recently led Melbourne Victory for three seasons until earlier this year, departing after losing the A-League Men grand final to Central Coast in May.
Reflecting on his readiness for this role, Popovic stated, “Five years ago, I wasn’t ready for this role. Three years ago, two years ago, I wouldn’t have considered it. Now, I’m ready, I want this job, and I’m here because I want to be here.”
While he has yet to define the playing style he envisions for the Socceroos, Popovic promises a departure from recent performances. “I expect us to be very dynamic in the China match,” he said, indicating a desire for a quicker pace, more scoring opportunities, and improved team cohesion.
With the expansion of the World Cup in 2026 to 48 teams, there is a renewed sense of optimism regarding the Socceroos’ chances for qualification. They currently rank as the fourth highest team in Asia.
Football Australia’s chief executive, James Johnson, revealed that discussions with Popovic began early last week, following Arnold’s announcement. Although Popovic has been residing in Croatia and watched the Socceroos’ last two qualifiers from afar, he has not yet decided whether to bring in new staff.
Arnold, who formally resigned on Friday, cited the challenges following a surprising quarter-final exit from this year’s Asian Cup as a catalyst for his decision. “Myself and the staff have done everything we possibly can,” he noted, having previously led the Socceroos to their best World Cup finish in Qatar 2022, reaching the round of 16 before falling to eventual champions Argentina.
As Popovic takes the helm, all eyes will be on his ability to galvanize the team and chart a path back to success on the international stage.
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