Australia coach Tony Popovic said it would be “wonderful” if Donald Trump were to watch their FIFA World Cup match against the United States in Seattle, saying the US president’s presence would motivate his team.
Trump is expected to attend the co-hosts’ matches, which include a group stage game against Popovic’s Socceroos at the 72,000-seat Seattle Stadium on June 19.
Some local pundits have dismissed Australia’s chances against the Americans, describing it as a certain victory with the US beating Australia 2-1 in a friendly in Denver last November.
“I don’t know if [Trump] wants to come and watch the US play, I’m sure I’d expect him to come and watch them at the World Cup,” Popovic told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
“If he chooses to watch Australia, that’s wonderful for us. It would make it even more special in trying to win that game.”
Tony Popovic says Jackson Irvine (right) “has his own opinions” about the US president. (AP Photo)
Australia midfielder Jackson Irvine said last week that FIFA awarding Trump its inaugural Peace Prize made a “mockery” of the governing body’s Human Rights Policy, and voiced concern for LGBT rights in the US.
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Popovic, however, said he was not bothered by the political climate in the US as he prepares to head to Sarasota, Florida, for a pre-World Cup camp.
The World Cup, also co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, starts on June 11.
“We’ve already been in the US in October and November. We’ve had no issues there,” Popovic said of Australia’s tour of the nation for friendly matches.
“We’ve enjoyed both experiences — on and off the park. We were well looked after. We had a great time, whether that was casually or obviously professionally with training and playing.
“Jackson’s a big boy. He has his opinions. My focus is on the team and that’s not really something that I’ve wasted any energy on.”
A contingent of eight players will arrive at Australia’s Florida camp this week, including 2022 World Cup heroes Harry Souttar and Mathew Leckie.
More will follow as club seasons wind down.
Mathew Leckie, now 35, scored the goal against Denmark that took Australia through to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Britain-based centre-back Souttar has barely played in a year and a half since an Achilles injury in late-2024, while 35-year-old Melbourne City winger Leckie has been on the comeback trail after a long recovery from hip surgery.
Popovic suggested both would be included in his final World Cup squad if they could prove their fitness in Florida, while raving about Leckie’s performance over the weekend in City’s shootout defeat by Auckland FC in the A-League Men play-offs.
“Mathew Leckie was the best player on the park at 35, with no football under his belt,” he said.
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“That’s the difference, and that’s what you need at a World Cup. Now will he make the World Cup? That will come down to his body.”
Former US internationals Mike Grella and Alexi Lalas have dismissed Australia’s chances in their match against the co-hosts. Grella described it as “a lay-up” for the Americans, while Lalas said the draw was a “blessing from the soccer gods”.
The other team in Group D is Paraguay who finished sixth in South American qualifying, the final direct spot into the 48-team finals.
Reuters/ABC
