Popovic open to new Socceroos deal after Asian Cup slips to 2028

Tony Popovic says he is ready to talk about staying on as Socceroos coach long term, after the Asian Cup's postponement scrambled his plans. The 2028 tournament delay opened the door to a fresh deal, and Popovic told reporters on a video call from Doha on Monday he was open to all the possibilities — just as he was in June.

He had already turned down a four-year extension from Football Australia that would have run to the 2030 World Cup, signing instead only to the end of the original Asian Cup window in February. Now he says discussions with FA are coming. 'I'm very open and very happy in this role,' he said. 'It's an honour, it's a privilege and I don't take this job for granted.'

The Asian Cup was pushed back last week to 2028 after attacks on hosts Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi-led movement. Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold in late 2024, said the extra runway shifts his focus to testing new faces over the next 12 months, much like the year building into a World Cup. Australia reached the last 32 at the first 48-team World Cup under his watch.

On the pitch, Australia face Asian Cup champions Qatar in Doha on Friday, then Jordan in Amman next week. Professional Footballers Australia said last week the squad had 'overwhelmingly' backed moving or rescheduling the Jordan fixture over security in the region. Popovic, who named a 25-man squad on Saturday, said no player had ruled himself out over those concerns.

That squad carries seven uncapped players, among them Central Coast Mariners centre back Diesel Herrington — lining up alongside his younger brother Lucas Herrington.