Asian Cup delay puts Popovic contract decision back on agenda
The tournament in Saudi Arabia has been postponed by 11 months, with proposed replacement dates still requiring FIFA approval.
Football Australia faces another decision on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic’s future after the Asian Football Confederation postponed the 2027 Asian Cup by 11 months amid the Middle East conflict.
Popovic’s deal runs until after the tournament’s original January slot, having been extended shortly before the World Cup. The competition in Saudi Arabia had been scheduled to begin on 7 January 2027.
The proposed replacement schedule would begin on 23 December 2027 and finish with the final on 21 January 2028. FIFA must approve those dates, which overlap with a busy stretch of European club football.
The AFC said regional developments had caused travel disruptions and logistical difficulties that made postponement necessary. Its confirmation followed a month of speculation after an attack on Riyadh’s international airport.
Australia’s scheduled group opponents were Tajikistan, Singapore and Iraq. Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is in charge of Iraq.
After Arnold resigned, Popovic became Australia’s coach in 2024 and guided the team to World Cup qualification. The Socceroos beat Turkiye in their first group match before their campaign ended against Egypt in a penalty shootout in the round of 32.
