A message from Football Australia Chair Anter Isaac on CommBank Socceroos v Jordan game 📰🗣️

With the CommBank Socceroos’ match against Jordan now confirmed to proceed in Doha, Qatar, I want to acknowledge the cooperation and considerable effort that have secured this outcome.

Relocating the fixture from Amman required sustained discussions across football, government and diplomatic channels. Throughout those discussions, our focus has been clear: to address the safety and wellbeing of our players and staff, preserve the opportunity for both national teams to play, and work with the respect and care our international relationships deserve.

Outcomes like this depend on dedicated people working behind the scenes. I thank the Football Australia team, particularly our staff on the ground and our security specialists, for their professionalism, expertise and tireless work throughout this process.

On behalf of Football Australia, I express our deepest gratitude to our friends at the Jordan Football Association, particularly its President, His Royal Highness Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Acting General Secretary Farah Al-Badarneh, and their team, together with the Jordanian Government.

We recognise that relocating a home international has significant implications for Jordan, its supporters and its partners. The understanding, generosity and personal commitment shown by Prince Ali and his colleagues have been instrumental in reaching this solution. We deeply value their friendship and will remember the support they have extended to Australian football.

I also thank Australia’s Ambassador to Jordan, Ms Paula Ganly, and her team, alongside our Australian Embassy colleagues in Qatar. Their advice, responsiveness and practical assistance have been invaluable.

Our deepest appreciation also goes to the Qatar Football Association, its President, His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, General Secretary Mansoor Mohammed Al-Ansari, and their team. Their readiness to accommodate this fixture, and their efforts to put the necessary arrangements in place, have enabled the match to proceed in Doha.

We are also grateful to the Asian Football Confederation for its assistance, information and regional expertise throughout this process. Its support has reinforced the value of the close relationships we share across Asian football.

Our players have remained committed to playing a second match during this international window. We have valued their engagement throughout the process and acknowledge the appreciation they have expressed for the efforts made to ensure the match can proceed.

This outcome demonstrates the depth of the global football family, particularly the bonds within Asia. Through trust, goodwill and a shared sense of responsibility, people across nations and institutions have come together to find a solution, care for those involved and ensure football continues to connect our countries. To everyone who has contributed, we offer our sincere and lasting thanks.