Aziz Behich Targets 2027 Asian Cup as a Socceroos Swan Song

Behich sees time to make his case

Aziz Behich sees the Asian Cup’s 11-month postponement as extra time to pursue two goals: another Socceroos tournament and a fourth appearance at the continental championship. He’ll be 37 when the Saudi Arabia-hosted event is expected to begin, but the Melbourne City captain says age won’t decide whether he’s available. The question, as he frames it, is whether he can keep performing well enough to earn selection.

The tournament is expected to run from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, pending FIFA approval. Behich, who turns 36 in December, was part of Australia’s 2015 Asian Cup-winning squad and played at his third World Cup this year. That experience gives him a clear record to point to, though selection for a future tournament will depend on what he shows between now and then.

“Everyone always speaks about my age. I keep proving people wrong,” Behich said. He believes regular minutes in the A-League Men will help him stay sharp, while a place in Tony Popovic’s plans could bring him closer to 100 international appearances. He has 87 caps and is expected to add to that tally after being named in Australia’s 25-man squad for friendlies against Qatar and Jordan. The milestone is within reach, but those appearances will still have to be earned through selection and performances.

For an experienced player, the argument for staying in the national setup rests on more than a birth year: fitness, form and the demands of the role all matter. Behich is making the case through regular club football and the opportunity to contribute in the next international window. If you’re working in this space, that’s the practical test behind the age debate: can experience still translate into useful minutes?

A postponement with two sides

The matches in Doha and Amman were originally intended as Asian Cup preparation and have drawn scrutiny over safety concerns. Behich said he understood the decision to delay the tournament, while regretting that it wouldn’t proceed as planned. The postponement changes the immediate preparation schedule, but it also leaves him with more time at club level to keep building form.

“Age is just a number. You know, I played with players in Europe that were much older than me and playing internationally,” he said. “It’s for the safety of nations, and if Saudi made that decision, it’s for a reason. It is what it is.” His response accepts the stated rationale while making clear that he would have preferred the original schedule. He didn’t suggest the delay was welcome in itself; its benefit is the chance to keep playing for City.

“I would have loved for it to go ahead and be there, but the positive side is I get to stay with City and continue fighting for a championship here.”

City’s form offers a timely boost

Behich heads into Socceroos camp after Melbourne City’s 2-1 win over Western Sydney, secured despite playing with 10 men. Awer Mabil was sent off after being bumped from behind by Dylan Scicluna and swiping at the Wanderers midfielder. Nicolas Milanovic’s late attempt to equalise was ruled offside. The result demanded a response from City after the dismissal, and the side held on to protect its lead.

Behich backed his teammate after the dismissal. “He’s experienced enough, but things like that happen,” he said. “Everyone’s human, everyone makes mistakes.” He added that City rallied to protect the lead, allowing Mabil to leave knowing the team had earned the win. That support speaks to the immediate priorities inside a squad: absorb a setback, keep the match under control and take the points.

Back-to-back victories have lifted City to fourth in the table with a 2-1-1 record. They’ll face seventh-placed Macarthur, who are 1-2-1, after the international break. The standings offer an early snapshot rather than a settled verdict, but the two wins give City momentum as the schedule resumes. For Behich, the extended club run means more match time now and another chance to build the case for an Asian Cup farewell.

What the extra time means for Behich

The delay gives Behich a longer runway, but it doesn’t guarantee a place in the squad. His route is straightforward: keep playing for City, remain in the conversation with Popovic and show that he can still meet the demands of international football. The 87 caps and tournament history strengthen his claim, yet the coach’s eventual choices will turn on the team’s needs and the form available at the time.

This is more significant than it looks for a player whose international future is often reduced to a number. Another Asian Cup would make Behich’s fourth appearance at the tournament and extend a career already shaped by major national-team milestones. And yet the clearest evidence will arrive in ordinary weeks: training, club matches and the consistency required to stay selectable. The postponed tournament has shifted the horizon. The work begins now.