The Socceroos take on Turkiye in their first group game on Sunday (AEST) in Vancouver having qualified as runners-up in AFC third-round Group C behind Japan.

They were the only team to remain unbeaten against Japan in the qualifiers – a 1-1 away draw and a 1-0 home win – while their only defeat in that final round of qualifying came in a 1-0 home loss to Bahrain.

Popovic took over in September 2024, and he has now penned a deal to keep him in charge for another year.

Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler said: "Securing Tony's contract extension on the eve of the [2026 FIFA] World Cup is a fantastic outcome.

"Tony is a world-class coach, and he has proven his ability to deliver results while developing talent at the same time.

"Tony's positive impact on the Socceroos and Football Australia has been clear, from securing direct qualification for the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, to building out the depth of the squad and laying the foundations for future success. We can see the growing excitement among Socceroos fans."

Popovic said: "I'm delighted that I will continue to coach the Socceroos through to the Asian Cup 2027.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Socceroos, and it is a role that I thoroughly enjoy and one I have never taken for granted.

"My absolute focus right now is on the FIFA World Cup 2026. I'm proud to lead my country into a World Cup, but most importantly, I want to ensure that our team is fully prepared and focused on our group matches against Turkiye, the United States, and Paraguay."

This will be Australia's seventh appearance and sixth straight participation in the FIFA World Cup.

It has never progressed past the Round of 16, although its most recent appearance in 2022 marked the first time it had won more than one match in a single edition.

Australia has lost more matches than any other team across the past five FIFA World Cups, though – 10 from 17 since 2006.

It hasalso lost its opening game in five of six FIFA World Cup appearances, with the only exception being a 3-1 win over Japan in 2006.