Popovic claims Trump watching Socceroos World Cup match would be special

Trump is anticipated to watch the co-hosts matches, including a group stage clash versus Popovics Socceroos at the 72000 seat Seattle Stadium on June 19.

I do not know if he wishes to see the U.S. play, yet I am certain I would anticipate him attending their World Cup games, Popovic stated to journalists in Sydney on Monday.

Should he opt to view Australia, that would be fantastic for us. It would render the effort to secure that match even more memorable.

Australia midfielder and sometimes captain Jackson Irvine mentioned last week that FIFA granting Trump its first Peace Prize turned the governing bodys Human Rights Policy into a mockery, and he expressed worries about LGBT rights in the U.S.

Popovic, though, indicated he was unconcerned by the political atmosphere in the U.S. while getting ready to travel to Sarasota, Florida, for a pre-World Cup training session.

The World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada and Mexico, begins on June 11.

We have already visited the U.S. (during) October and November. We encountered no problems there, Popovic commented regarding Australias visit to the country for exhibition games.

We appreciated both aspects, on and off the pitch. We were treated excellently. We had an enjoyable time, either in relaxed settings or clearly in professional contexts with training and matches.

Jackson is a grown man. He holds his views. My attention is on the squad and that is not an area where I have spent any effort.

A group of eight players will join Australias Florida training camp this week, featuring 2022 World Cup standouts Harry Souttar and Mathew Leckie.

Additional players will arrive as club campaigns conclude.

Britain based centre-back Souttar has seen minimal action in a year and a half following an Achilles injury in late 2024, whereas 35 year old Melbourne City winger Leckie has been recovering from hip surgery over an extended period.

Popovic implied both could feature in his ultimate World Cup team if they demonstrate their readiness in Florida, while praising Leckies display over the weekend in Citys penalty shootout loss to Auckland FC in the A League playoffs.

Mathew Leckie stood out as the top performer on the pitch at 35, despite lacking recent match time, he remarked.

That illustrates the distinction, and that is essential for a World Cup. Now, will he earn a World Cup spot? That depends on his physical condition.