Tony Popovic Named New Socceroos Coach Amid World Cup Qualifying Struggles

Popovic takes over after Graham Arnold's resignation, tasked with revitalizing Australia's campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

Tony Popovic, a former Crystal Palace defender and member of Australia's 'golden generation,' has been appointed as the new head coach of the Socceroos.
Popovic replaces Graham Arnold, who resigned following a poor start to the third round of Asian qualifiers, including a loss to Bahrain and a draw with Indonesia.
The new coach has a contract through the 2026 World Cup cycle and aims to secure Australia's sixth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Popovic brings a track record of success in Asian football, including winning the Asian Champions League with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014.
His immediate challenge is to prepare the team for crucial upcoming qualifiers against China on October 10 and Japan on October 15.