Asian Cup postponement leaves Socceroos, FA and coach Tony Popovic at crossroads | Joey Lynch

The most immediate question thrown up by the delay of the tournament in Saudi Arabia is what it now means for Popovic

Confirmation that the Asian Cup has been postponed until December 2027 would have caught few by surprise. But the timing of Tuesday’s announcement might have, given it came well ahead of the late November timeframe hinted at by the AFC. Yet with Houthi attacks continuing across Saudi Arabia, it felt inevitable the tournament would be deferred.

However foreseeable though, it has left the Socceroos, their coach Tony Popovic and Football Australia at a crossroads.

It is a major tournament the Socceroos harboured hopes of winning. Japan would have been considered favourites; the Samurai Blue, despite having been underachievers since winning in 2011, have earned that mantle.