Australia coach Popovic aims for best-ever World Cup

Australia coach Tony Popovic on Friday set a lofty goal of reaching at least the World Cup quarter-finals as his side prepare for their first game since qualifying for next year’s tournament.

The Socceroos are into their sixth consecutive World Cup, and seventh overall, but have never got to the last eight.

They reached the last 16 at Germany in 2006, when former Crystal Palace captain Popovic was part of the squad, and again at Qatar in 2022.

Popovic, who replaced Graham Arnold a year ago when Australia were floundering in fifth in their Asian qualifying group, said he is determined to go one better.

“I always had faith and confidence in our ability to not only qualify for the World Cup but continue growing as a team,” he said.

“The players have done an outstanding job in securing World Cup qualification and now the focus on 2026 begins.

“We’re in the early stages of this journey, but all our energies are now focused on continuing to drive the elite standards that we aspire to and achieving our best result at a World Cup. 

“We want to do something special and make our nation proud.”

Popovic revealed his ambition in announcing a 26-man squad for two games against a Chris Wood-led New Zealand, who have also booked their ticket to the World Cup in North America.

With qualification secure and an eye to the future, Popovic named seven uncapped players.

They include Portsmouth midfielder Adrian Segecic and Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tom Glover, while Watford striker Nestory Irankunda was recalled after a sensational strike against Swansea last weekend.

But Popovic is without a host of regulars including captain Mat Ryan, who this week signed for Spanish club Levante, along with veterans Aziz Behich and Jackson Irvine.

The Socceroos meet New Zealand in Canberra on September 5 and again in Auckland four days later.