FOOTBALL 360’s David Weiner admits that he is cautiously excited about the Socceroos as they continue to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n
It’s been an exciting year for the national team, which, under manager Tony Popovic, has qualified for football’s biggest tournament without having to play an inter-confederation playoff match for the first time since 2013.<\/p>\n
Since taking on the role during September of last year, the Australian has only lost one game in the 12 matches that he has been in charge of.<\/p>\n
And after an hour-long media call with Popovic, the esteemed football writer noted the passion that the 52-year-old has for the position.<\/p>\n
“He has this reputation of having a tough facade, really doesn’t give much away,” Weiner told SEN WA’s Sportsday.<\/p>\n
“Well, for an hour, we hung off every single word.<\/p>\n
“As Socceroos’ boss, Popovic drips emotion; he bleeds green and gold.<\/p>\n
“He talked about the ambition he has for this Socceroos side, and he is feeding off the excitement he is starting to build.<\/p>\n
“From that dramatic qualifier earlier this year over in Perth against Japan and the fact we are playing international friendlies so many months ahead of the World Cup starting, we’ve got the luxury of playing those friendlies in the States as well.”<\/p>\n
And as Weiner explains, that excitement has been helped by having a solid mix of young and experienced players contributing important roles.<\/p>\n
“He’s getting a good look at the candidates, young and old, to be part of his squad, and I think there is a little bit of a buzz around the Socceroos and rightly so.<\/p>\n
“You’ve got a mix of established players like Mat Ryan, who’s playing in La Liga again. Jackson Irvine is back and captaining his side in the Bundesliga.<\/p>\n
“But the young players, they’re getting a chance to taste international football.<\/p>\n
“Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Tour\u00e9 and the 22-year-old who deputised for Mat Ryan captain in the last set of friendlies, Alessandro Circati.<\/p>\n
“So, I’m cautiously excited about the Socceroos.”<\/p>\n
The Socceroos’ next lot of friendlies will once again see them return to the United States.<\/p>\n
They’ll play South American nations Venezuela and Colombia in Houston and New York, respectively.<\/p>\n
This will be their last chance to try and improve their ranking position before the final draw for next year’s FIFA World Cup takes place on December 5.<\/p>\n
And SEN will have the radio broadcast rights for the tournament, which starts on June 11, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOOTBALL 360’s David Weiner admits that he is cautiously excited about the Socceroos as they continue to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s been an exciting year for the national team, which, under manager Tony Popovic, has qualified for football’s biggest tournament without having to play an inter-confederation playoff match for the first […]<\/p>\n