Mark Schwarzer and Josip Skoko excited to see where Tony Popovic can take this team

CommBank Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer expressed his excitement for the squad and the future of Australian football ahead of the FIFA Series 2026™.

He was speaking alongside 51-time Socceroo Josip Skoko as the team prepares to take on Cameroon and Curacao this week.

Excitement building for the World Cup

Schwarzer: I'm excited for this group of players because I know what it's like. I know how exciting it is. I know how the players are feeling. They're desperate to show what they can do. They're desperate to make an impression on the manager - certainly the younger players, players that have been on the fringes, some of the players coming back, that haven't been involved in the national team for a while. There's a real edge to it, but there's also a real excitement to it.

The work of Head Coach Tony Popovic

Schwarzer: We got to see firsthand how the players get put through their drills. Popa [Head Coach Tony Popovic] has done a fantastic job with the Socceroos for qualification - you've certainly got to mention how well good a job he's done, and his coaching staff - the intensity of which they train is really impressive. And for all these players that have been on the fringes or not been involved for a while, to get a feel, to come up to speed with the way they want to play, what the levels of expectations are, are impressive.

Skoko: Everybody knew that Popa was going to be a manager. He's got extra little bit of discipline in him, which will be great for a team, but also that he's got another side of him - really good football knowledge. He was a good footballer in terms of playing. He was tough, but he could play as well. I always thought  that would be a great mix for a manager, and especially for managing a national team. So it's been great to follow his progress.

Reminiscing on 2006

Schwarzer: It [qualifying for the World Cup] was such an iconic moment in Australian football, because it was the beginning of where we are right now, and that's as players what we'd always hoped. We didn't know how big it would be. We didn't know it would take us to this point. We'd hoped it did, and we didn't really also know what, what was going to be ahead of us. However, to look back at it - and because every year, it's celebrated, we're celebrating 20 years now - just always keeps reminding you for it. So in some ways, it feels like it was just the other day.

Skoko: All those stories are out there. We don't have to go too far past the Uruguay game, the second game in Sydney, where in the tunnel he [Tony Popovic] grabbed one of the Uruguayans by the throat, and then in the game he nearly got sent off for elbowing, and things like that. So you don't have to go too far to know that Popa is always in the thick of it, always looking out for the best of our interests as a nation.

Competition for places

Schwarzer: Maty is obviously the standout candidate [in goals]. He's been number one for a long period of time. He's the captain of the national team. He's one of the most he's the most experienced player in the squad. He's going to his fourth World Cup, if I'm correct. A wealth of experience. But what Popa has made very clear right from the beginning, it doesn't matter who you are. Everyone needs to be on their toes. Everyone needs to get pushed. Maty stepped up - he's been exceptional for Levante in La Liga. Every time he's played for the Socceroos, he's never let the Socceroos down. 

But you also want that competition, and with Paul Izzo, Patrick Beach, there's some really good mixture of experienced players, but also young players coming through. You want that competition. The manager has shown that by by giving them opportunities to play as well. As a goalkeeper, I used to hate it, and I'm sure Maty hates it as well, because he wants to play every game. We all do. We're selfish. But you also know the bigger picture - that's just the reality of the game today, and that's what the manager needs to do, because there's a lot of time between now and the start of the World Cup.

Skoko: There's not really too much they can do except for give it their best at training and on match day. They certainly went for it at yesterday's training, they were going in and giving it their best. So they put their best put forward. So all they can do is really be themselves. I'm sure Popa will see that part of it, and if that's what he needs, they'll be there in America.

What it means to play for Australia

Schwarzer: What's key is that it's what you feel. I've always felt Australian, first and foremost. It's not that I don't appreciate and love my heritage, but I also appreciate and love being Australian, and I never ever wanted to play for anyone else other than Australia, but everyone's a little bit different. I always say to people - what is it going to be like when you're standing there listening to a national anthem that you know nothing about? What national anthem actually means something to you? For me, there's nothing better than the Australian national anthem.

MATCH DETAILS

CommBank Socceroos v Cameroon

Date: Friday, 27 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: Accor Stadium
Broadcast:  Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster

CommBank Socceroos v Curaçao
Date: Tuesday, 31 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast:  Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketek