Australia's upcoming friendlies against Qatar and Jordan are expected to go ahead as scheduled despite heightened security concerns in the Middle East. Football Australia confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation ahead of the matches in Doha and Amman next month.
The Socceroos face Qatar on November 13 and Jordan on November 17 in their final warm-up games before the Asian Cup. An FA spokesperson said the organisation is being guided by its head of security. "Football Australia is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East ahead of the Socceroos' matches against Qatar and Jordan in November," the spokesperson said. "The safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and supporters remains paramount."
These fixtures are critical preparation for coach Tony Popovic, who will name his squad for the Asian Cup after this window. Australia's recent form shows a draw and a loss in their last two outings, a 1-1 stalemate and a 2-4 defeat to Brazil in September. Alessandro Circati and Connor Metcalfe were on the scoresheet in the latter match, with Metcalfe finding the net in the 90th minute. The team's last win was a 5-0 victory over Lebanon in March, where Kusini Yengi scored his first international goal.
Security assessments ongoing
Recent violence in the region, including incidents in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, has prompted travel advisories. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises Australians to reconsider travel to Jordan, while Qatar is considered a much safer destination. Football Australia's risk assessment is a key focus, mirroring moves by other nations; Saudi Arabia relocated a friendly with South Korea to Qatar due to security concerns.
Football Australia is conducting its own detailed security assessments for both matches. The organisation stated it is in constant communication with local authorities and security partners in both host nations to ensure all necessary measures are in place. This process includes evaluating venue security, team transport, and accommodation arrangements.
The friendlies come at a time of uncertainty for the Asian Cup itself, with a decision on whether the tournament proceeds as planned in Saudi Arabia expected by the end of November. Australia's first group game is scheduled for January 9 against Singapore in Khobar.
With the Qatar match now just over two weeks away, the focus remains on finalising logistics and ensuring a secure environment for the camp. The team will travel to Doha aiming to build momentum after their mixed results against Brazil. The camp will also serve as a final opportunity for players to impress coach Popovic before the Asian Cup selection is finalised.
Background and full detail: abc.net.au
