Socceroos wary of Jordan friendly due to security threats
The Socceroos have named an under-strength squad for upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Jordan, with Football Australia to monitor security in Jordanian capital Amman.
The Socceroos have named an inexperienced squad, with seven players not yet capped, for their upcoming Middle East friendly internationals. Football Australia is continuing to assess the security situation before their trip to Jordan's capital, Amman, where they are set to play Qatar on November 13 and Jordan three days later. The team's coach, Tony Popovic, revealed the squad on Saturday night, amidst player concerns over safety.
The friendlies were originally planned as preparation for the Asian Cup, which has been postponed from January to December 2027 due to security concerns in Saudi Arabia. Several prominent players, including captain Maty Ryan and veterans Jackson Irvine and Milos Degenek, are absent from the squad, which may have been influenced by safety concerns.
Football Australia's chief executive, Martin Kugeler, stated that the safety and wellbeing of the players and staff remain their top priority, and they will provide timely updates and safety advice.
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