Tony Popovic urges squad to make history in 2026 World Cup knockout clash
Updated ,first published
-Arlington: Don’t stay in the moment. History is done on a full-time basis. These are the messages Australia coach Tony Popovic is sending to his young team as they chase history against Egypt at Dallas Stadium (Saturday, 4am AEST) in the hope of becoming the first Socceroos team to win a match in the World Cup knockout stages.
Australia will advance to the World Cup qualifying rounds for the third time and Popovic says the Pharaohs will give the Socceroos their toughest challenge in the tournament so far. The scenario in front of 80,000 people in Dallas is simple; lose it and go home.
Egypt are sweating over the fitness of star striker Mohamed Salah after the former Liverpool talisman suffered a hamstring problem in their last group game against Iran. His coach, Hossam Hassan, said that his captain had told him that he wanted to play, but it could be from the bench.
Popovic said Australia was prepared for whatever the Salah scenario was. The Socceroos kept two clean sheets in three group matches, including a scoreless draw with Paraguay; The coach feels that this result is under-appreciated, especially considering that the South Americans knocked Germany out of the tournament.
However, his team has not scored since the opening 2-0 win against Türkiye and he knows he must try his luck against the African country, which is two places ahead of him in the FIFA world rankings.
“Details matter and moments make the difference,” Popovic said at the pre-match press conference. “We created good opportunities against Paraguay, we could not take advantage of these opportunities, but there were opportunities against a very good team.
“I am sure we will create more [chances] Tomorrow.”
Australia’s group stage defeat came against the USA; They lost 2-0 after a disastrous first half. Popovic admitted after that game that the young Socceroos team looked “flat and lethargic” and that he was overwhelmed by the opportunity to play the tournament’s co-hosts in front of a huge, insular crowd in Seattle.
He wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again as his team chases history in Dallas.
“We can’t think too much about it and get caught up in the situation,” he told reporters. “We have to stay in the moment. History is written after the match. Whether it’s 90 minutes, extra time or penalties, we have to do our part during the match to create that history.”
Salah, 34, trained in front of the media with his teammates in hot Dallas conditions approaching 40 degrees in Egypt’s final pre-match training.
This will be the Pharaohs’ first appearance in the World Cup knockout stages and Hassan said the country’s top goalscorer wants to play.
“Salah is a passionate player; he looks forward to making his own contribution together with his teammates tomorrow,” Hassan said through a translator.
“But of course I won’t take any risks unless I’m 100 percent sure he’s healthy and willing to go tomorrow.
“We are looking forward to him playing tomorrow but we are not sure if he will be in the starting 11.
The winner will face either reigning champions Argentina or Cape Verde in the round of 16.
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Nick Ralston is deputy editor and research editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously served as news editor, justice editor and world editor.Connect with: X or email.
