Tony Popovic

Tony Popovic is the head coach of Australia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading the Socceroos through a remarkable late-qualifying turnaround after his appointment in September 2024. Born in Sydney on 4 July 1973 to Macedonian parents, he is one of the most decorated Australian coaches of his generation and the first Australian to win the AFC Champions League.

A tall, combative centre-back as a player, Popovic made 58 appearances for Australia and spent the bulk of his European career at Crystal Palace, where he is a club legend. After retiring he founded Western Sydney Wanderers as their first-ever head coach in 2012 — and won the A-League Premiership in their debut season and the AFC Champions League in only their second year, a feat unmatched in modern Asian football. He later won the A-League Premiership at Perth Glory (2019) and the A-League Championship at Melbourne Victory (2024).

Football Australia turned to him in September 2024 after Graham Arnold's resignation, with the country mired in qualifying difficulties. Popovic's high-pressing, possession-based reset transformed the Socceroos almost immediately, securing qualification with games to spare.

Australia are in Group D with USA and Turkey, opening against the United States at SoFi Stadium on 12 June. Popovic's brief: turn a generation around captain Harry Souttar, Aaron Mooy heir Connor Metcalfe and rising star Nestory Irankunda into a side that can finally break Australia's 20-year wait since the 2006 R16 for a knockout-stage run.