Australian players not wanting to travel to Jordan will not be blacklisted from future squads under coach Tony Popovic. ( Getty Imahes: Albert Perez )
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says players not wanting to play in Jordan over security concerns will not be blacklisted from future squads.
Players have questioned the value of the friendlies due to the postponement of January's Asian Cup and the security risk posed by travelling to Jordan.
The Socceroos face Qatar on Saturday, before heading to Jordan for a friendly the following Wednesday.
Australia coach Tony Popovic insists Socceroos players who are reluctant to play Jordan due to security concerns will not be blacklisted from the national team set-up if they elect to withdraw from his squad.
The Socceroos, currently in camp in Doha, face Qatar in a friendly on Saturday, before they are expected to make the trip to Amman to take on Jordan next Wednesday.
Players have privately questioned the value of the friendlies due to the postponement of January's Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to December 2027, and because of the security risk posed by travelling to Jordan.
"If players are available for selection moving forward in any camps, any decisions made [in November] will not affect their possibility or availability for selection," Popovic said.
While usually rated one of the safer countries in the Middle East, Jordan has been the subject of heightened security concerns after a stabbing in Amman and an attack on an orthodox church in the country's south.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Jordan "due to the unpredictable security situation" and the "threat of terrorism".
"The plan is to play the games, unless something else changes," Popovic said. "The safety and the wellbeing of the players and staff is of paramount importance."
Indonesia cancelled a friendly in Jordan this month, while the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia, said the Socceroos players had "overwhelmingly expressed their view that the Jordan match should be rescheduled or relocated".
Alex Robertson has withdrawn from the friendly against Jordan for personal reasons. ( Getty Images: Steve Christo )
The Socceroos coach revealed on Monday that Cardiff midfielder Alex Robertson had withdrawn from selection due to personal reasons — not related to security concerns — while Nashville's Patrick Yazbek had pulled out with an undisclosed injury.
Jackson Irvine has been left out after becoming a father for the first time, while back-up goalkeeper Paul Izzo remains in Denmark as he awaits the arrival of his first child.
Mat Ryan has been left out of the national team set-up for the second successive international window, leaving questions over the veteran goalkeeper's long-term Socceroos future.
"I think with [Ryan] and some of the other players, the focus just shifted with the Asian Cup changing. I'd like to see some other goalkeepers," Popovic said.
Popovic has left out Mat Ryan (pictured) for the second consecutive international window. ( Getty Images: Jay Barratt )
"With 12 months of planning coming up I wanted to give some boys a chance; we haven't seen Joe Gauci or Tom Glover for a while.
"We [Ryan and I] have had discussions and he understands the decision."
Meanwhile, Popovic is taking a relaxed approach to his contract situation.
His deal was signed to expire at the conclusion of the Asian Cup but the delay by 11 months has thrown his commitment up in the air.
At the same time, reports in England have named Popovic as a potential contender to take charge of Premier League side Crystal Palace.
The Palace role would be a major step up for a coach who hasn't managed in a top-five league.
"I think both parties are comfortable with the situation," Popovic said of his Socceroos contract. "We've got no issues with how this is progressing."
