Security concerns as Australia name under-strength squad for Mideast friendlies
Football Australia said it was continuing to assess security ahead of the Socceroos' two upcoming friendlies in the Middle East, with an under-strength squad named amid player safety concerns."For the match against Jordan, we will continue to assess the security environment and provide players and staff with timely, comprehensive updates, including relevant safety advice and risk assessments," he…
Australia's head coach Tony Popovic has announced a weak squad for upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Jordan. These matches are set to take place on November 13 in Doha and four days later in Amman. However, the Jordan game is currently in jeopardy due to regional unrest. Football Australia's chief Martin Kugeler emphasized that the safety and well-being of players and staff remain the top priority.
For the Jordan match, the team will continue to evaluate the security situation and provide players and staff with timely updates. The matches were initially intended as preparation for the postponed Asian Cup, which has been rescheduled to December 2027 due to security concerns in Saudi Arabia. Only 11 players from Australia's World Cup squad were included in the 25-man lineup, with seven potential debutants named, including Diesel Herrington and the Yengi brothers.
The Professional Footballers Australia, representing the players, has urged the Jordan match to be rescheduled or relocated.
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