Australia head coach Tony Popovic says he respects Egypt ahead of their crucial Round of 32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He is also confident the Socceroos can keep up their strong form.
Australia will play Egypt, one of Africa’s top teams, on Friday in a knockout match for a spot in the Round of 16.
Before the match, Popovic praised his players for how they have performed and said he believes they can step up again.
“We feel very good,” Popovic said. “We proved our worth in the group stage and showed that we deserve to be here. The players are confident, comfortable and fully prepared.”
Australia made it to the knockout stage after a focused group stage, and Popovic pointed out the team’s character and calmness during the tournament.
Even though he is optimistic, Popovic warned not to underestimate Egypt. He called them a strong team with the same goal of moving forward.
“We respect Egypt a lot,” he continued. “They are like us; they want to achieve something important and reach the next stage.”
Popovic said this match is a big moment for Australian football and emphasized how important it is to represent the country with pride on the world stage.
“It is a special match, and we are delighted to have reached this point. We want to represent Australian football in the best possible way once again.”
Popovic, a former defender, said he has been pleased with how much his players have improved during the tournament, especially in the second half of their last game.
“I noticed a great improvement in the players. In the second half of our last match, we were very proud of what they produced.
“The way they reacted showed maturity, confidence and calmness. These are qualities you need at this level, and I believe the players are ready to take another step forward.”
Popovic also pointed out that knockout football can be unpredictable, and small details often decide who wins.
“Knockout games are always different. We have seen matches decided on penalties and others controlled completely by one team. Every game has its own story.”
Australia hope to keep their World Cup run going, while Egypt are looking for a historic spot in the Round of 16.
“We have always believed that we have the level to compete here. Now we have another chance to show our quality,” Popovic concluded.
