Sports · Football · 2 hrs ago
Socceroos squad announcement delayed amid calls to move Jordan friendly
Football Australia has delayed naming Tony Popovic’s Socceroos squad for friendlies against Qatar and Jordan this month.
The players are strongly opposed to travelling to Amman for the Jordan match because of security concerns.
The Professional Footballers Australia union wants the game moved to another venue or date, after Indonesia withdrew from a friendly in Amman over player safety fears.
Jordan has seen recent violence, including the killing of a security officer in a suspected attack in Amman.
Australia’s travel advice says visitors to Jordan should reconsider their need to travel, while advice for Qatar is to exercise a high degree of caution.
The Jordan Football Association says the match remains scheduled, but Football Australia has not confirmed whether it will go ahead as planned.
The squad announcement is expected over the weekend, and the dispute has also raised questions about Popovic’s future beyond his current contract, which ends in March.
Football Australia has delayed the announcement of Tony Popovic’s Socceroos squad for this month’s friendlies.
The delay comes amid calls from players and the Professional Footballers Australia to move the November 17 match against Jordan because of security concerns.
The Jordan Football Association says the match remains scheduled without changes.
The squad announcement is expected over the weekend, an FA spokesperson said.
- Who
- Football Australia, the Socceroos and the Professional Footballers Australia are involved.
- What
- The Socceroos squad announcement has been delayed as players call for the Jordan friendly to be moved.
- When
- The squad announcement was due on November 6, 2026; the match against Jordan is scheduled for November 17.
- Where
- The match is scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan.
- Why
- Players have raised security concerns about travelling to Jordan.
Professional Footballers Australia and Socceroos players
Jordan Football Association
Match plans
Professional Footballers Australia and Socceroos players
The players want the Jordan match rescheduled or relocated over security concerns.
Jordan Football Association
The Jordan Football Association says the match remains scheduled without changes.
A security officer was stabbed to death in a suspected terrorist attack in Amman.
Football Australia was due to unveil Popovic’s squad for the friendlies.
An FA spokesperson said the squad announcement would take place.
The Socceroos are scheduled to play Jordan in Amman.
- Squad announcement
- Delayed; expected over the weekend
- Jordan friendly
- November 17, Amman
- Player position
- Players overwhelmingly favour rescheduling or relocating the match
- Travel advice for Jordan
- Level three; Australians are advised to reconsider their need to travel
- Another friendly
- Qatar is also scheduled as an opponent this month
What people are saying
With the full support of the PFA, the players have overwhelmingly expressed their view that the Jordan match should be rescheduled or relocated.
We are committed to working with FA to reach a sensible solution.