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4h ago

Socceroos' Jordan Friendly Moved to Doha

Player safety concerns tied to an Australian travel advisory led Football Australia and the Jordan FA to agree to play the match in Qatar.

Jordanian police guard the security booth where an assailant killed a security officer outside the Sri Lankan Embassy in Amman, Jordan, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)
The Socceroos remain united and still against playing an international friendly in Jordan. (Russell Freeman/AAP PHOTOS)
The Socceroos will play both their Middle East matches against Qatar and Jordan in Doha. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Overview

  • Football Australia and the Jordan Football Association agreed on Thursday to relocate the Socceroos’ friendly from Amman to Doha after a meeting between FA CEO Martin Kugeler and JFA acting general secretary Farah Badarneh.
  • Socceroos players had overwhelmingly expressed that they did not want to travel to Jordan because the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advised Australians to reconsider travel to Jordan over an unpredictable security situation and terrorism threats.
  • Coach Tony Popovic said the team will remain based in Qatar for the window and that no player who withdrew for security reasons would be blacklisted from future selection.
  • Football Australia explored options including cancellation or moving the match to southern Europe before securing Doha with logistical help from the Qatar FA and Australian embassies.
  • The move follows other regional safety responses such as US Soccer withdrawing its U17 team and comes as the AFC Asian Cup has been postponed to December 2027, leaving limited international windows for preparation and heightening the value of these friendlies.