🔗 Share this article

As soon as Tony Popovic finally assembled his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a set of standards. A lot were clear and to the point – perfect in light of the upheaval surrounding his sudden appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was another theme. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown clearer into view with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, looks genuinely settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. Likewise have the results of his team progressed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling quite remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently placed 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the remaining games of European qualifying – carry weight in this context.

While Popovic admits that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now thinks the pool he can trust has expanded. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much outside of this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m convinced there are additional ones to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising appearance of talent, and the change in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the plane. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – keeps to perform steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to announce in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

“I emphasize it to the group: one day, Australia will go a long way in the World Cup. And why not this group? Why do we have to wait two or three World Cups, when I’m observing and cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”