The Sydney Morning Herald logo

Tony Popovic

Advertisement
Cristian Volpato in an Italy U21 camp in May.

This Socceroos legend wants to keep the door open for Volpato despite snub

Cristian Volpato is “waiting for Italy” over the Socceroos. But an Australian great says he would welcome the attacker back should he ever change his mind.

  • Vince Rugari

Latest

Adrian Segecic celebrates a goal for Portsmouth.

‘I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do’: Popa takes swipe at Segecic over Socceroos defection

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has wished Adrian Segecic well after his decision to play for Croatia over Australia – then explained why he wouldn’t cross one of his red lines for him.

  • Vince Rugari
Tony Popovic talks to Aiden O’Neill during an impromptu hydration break.

A game of four quarters: Socceroos will try to exploit World Cup ‘hydration breaks’

Every half at the World Cup will stop for a three-minute “hydration break”, aka a mid-game ad break. Tony Popovic isn’t moaning about it; he wants the Socceroos to find a way to take advantage.

  • Vince Rugari
Cristian Volpato.

He turned down a World Cup berth four years ago. Now Volpato is ‘open’ to playing for the Socceroos

Cristian Volpato, the Sydney product who has long equivocated over whether to play for Australia or Italy, has signalled he is finally ready to decide.

  • Vince Rugari
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic on Thursday with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Sport Anika Wells, and Football Australia interim chief executive Heather Garriock.

Popovic draws the line as young star chooses Greece over Socceroos

Tony Popovic says he’ll welcome any player who wants to represent Australia. “And the ones that don’t, I don’t welcome,” he said on Thursday.

  • Vince Rugari
Nestory Irankunda is back for the Socceroos - along with a host of other promising young Aussie players.

Why Tony Popovic’s latest Socceroos squad is the most exciting in years

With an average age of 24, Tony Popovic’s squad for Australia’s Soccer Ashes showdown with New Zealand suggests a new dawn is upon the national team, as the fight for World Cup spots begins.

  • Vince Rugari
Advertisement
The Socceroos’ hopes of a 20-year anniversary rematch with Uruguay at Accor Stadium have been scuppered, in part, by Oasis’ reunion tour.

How Oasis ruined the Socceroos’ plans for a 20-year anniversary clash with Uruguay

The trade-off for Noel and Liam Gallagher’s long-awaited reunion at Accor Stadium in November is that another similarly historic reunion will not take place at that very same venue that month.

  • Vince Rugari
Nestory Irankunda appears to be on his way out of Bayern Munich.

‘Talent’s not enough’: Popovic’s warning to Irankunda as Bayern Munich exit looms

The Socceroos coach is pleased with Nestory Irankunda’s reported transfer to Watford, and hopes it serves as a springboard for him to realise his potential.

  • Vince Rugari
The Socceroos after qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

What you need to know about the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign

From the qualification process to Australia’s past results, here’s what you need to know ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

  • Billie Eder
The Socceroos celebrate their win in Saudi Arabia.

They’ve made a sixth successive World Cup. Here’s what the Socceroos need to do next

Tony Popovic’s men have delivered. But there’s work still to be done if they are to be a force at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

  • Vince Rugari