# Popovic Rules Out Blacklisting Socceroos Over Jordan Security Concerns Coach Tony Popovic confirms players skipping Jordan friendly will remain eligible for future selection. - **Source:** [ABC Australia – Science](https://www.abc.net.au/news/science) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ef755fa8-c996-41e8-ae10-dd09eb42892b ## Selection Policy Clarification Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has officially confirmed that players choosing to skip the upcoming friendly match in Jordan due to security concerns will not face blacklisting. This decision ensures that any athlete opting out of the Amman trip remains fully eligible for future national team call-ups and upcoming international training camps. ## Security Situation in Jordan The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently advises Australians to reconsider travel to Jordan, citing an unpredictable security environment and terrorism threats. Recent incidents, including a stabbing in Amman and an attack on an orthodox church in the south, have heightened concerns among players regarding the safety of the scheduled friendly match. ## Player Union Stance Professional Footballers Australia, the representative union for the squad, stated that players have overwhelmingly expressed a desire for the Jordan match to be relocated or rescheduled. This collective sentiment reflects broader unease within the team, especially following Indonesia's recent decision to cancel their own planned friendly match in the same country. ## Squad Availability Updates Several players are unavailable for the current window for various reasons. Alex Robertson withdrew citing personal matters, while Patrick Yazbek is sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Additionally, Jackson Irvine and Paul Izzo are absent due to family commitments, specifically the arrival of their first children, keeping them away from the Doha camp. ## Goalkeeper Selection Strategy Veteran goalkeeper Mat Ryan has been omitted for the second consecutive international window, signaling a potential shift in team hierarchy. Popovic indicated a desire to evaluate other options, specifically Joe Gauci and Tom Glover, as the team adjusts its planning following the significant postponement of the Asian Cup to December 2027. ## Asian Cup Impact The postponement of the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has fundamentally altered the Socceroos' strategic roadmap. With the tournament moved to late 2027, the coaching staff is re-evaluating the value of current friendlies. Players have privately questioned the necessity of these matches given the extended timeline and the associated security risks involved. ## Coaching Contract Status Tony Popovic's current contract was originally set to expire following the Asian Cup, but the tournament's delay has created uncertainty regarding his tenure. Despite this, Popovic maintains that both he and the governing body are comfortable with the current situation, noting that discussions regarding his long-term future are progressing without any issues. ## Crystal Palace Speculation Beyond his national team duties, reports from England have linked Popovic to the managerial vacancy at Premier League club Crystal Palace. Taking the role would represent a significant career milestone, as Popovic has not yet managed in a top-five European league, adding another layer of complexity to his current professional status. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/football-popovic-wont-blacklist-socceroos-jordan-friendlies/107365692 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._