Australia coach Tony Popovic has reiterated his respect for Egypt ahead of Australiaโs crucial Round of 32 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while expressing confidence in his squadโs ability to continue their impressive tournament run.
The Asian giants takes on the African football powerhouse in a highly competitive clash on Friday evening, with victory crucial to securing a place in the last 16 of the global showpiece, being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ahead of the match, Popovic has reiterated total respect for Egypt, while backing his outfit to progress to the round 16 of the tournament.
โWe feel very good,โ Popovic said. โWe proved our worth in the group stage and showed that we deserve to be here. The players are confident, comfortable and fully prepared.โ
Australia progressed to the knockout rounds after a disciplined and determined campaign, with Popovic praising the mentality and maturity shown by his players throughout the tournament.
Despite his confidence, the former defender stressed that Egypt remain a dangerous opponent and insisted the Pharaohs deserve maximum respect ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.
โWe respect Egypt a lot,โ Popovic continued. โThey are like us รขโฌโ they want to achieve something important and reach the next stage.โ
The Australian tactician described the match as a major occasion not only for his squad but also for Australian football, emphasizing the importance of representing the country proudly on the world stage.
โIt is a special match and we are delighted to have reached this point,โ he explained. โWe want to represent Australian football in the best possible way once again.โ
Popovic also highlighted the development of his players during the tournament, revealing his satisfaction with the way the team responded in recent matches.
โI noticed a great improvement in the players,โ he said. โIn the second half of our last match, we were very proud of what they produced.โ
โThe 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.โ
The Australian coach further acknowledged the unpredictable nature of knockout football, noting that several matches in the tournament have already been decided by the smallest margins, including penalty shootouts.
โKnockout games are always different,โ Popovic stated. โWe have seen matches decided on penalties and others controlled completely by one team. Every game has its own story.โ
Australia will head into the encounter hoping to continue their impressive World Cup journey, while Egypt aim to secure qualification to the next round and keep alive their hopes of achieving a historic feat at the tournament.
โWe have always believed that we have the level to compete here,โ Popovic concluded. โNow we have another chance to show our quality.โ
