🔗 Share this article

When Tony Popovic finally assembled his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a range of standards. Most were straightforward and concise – suitable considering the disruption following his unexpected arrival, after Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” attitude to deserve, or keep that privilege. But there was an additional message. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been cast sharper into perspective with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something extraordinary, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, looks really comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness sharply contrasts with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. So too have the results of his team changed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games against Venezuela, at the moment positioned 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 – are significant in this context.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now believes the group he can call upon has grown. This isn’t just through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

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

This unexpected appearance of talent, and the change in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those circle can remain optimistic that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to be absent for a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – continues to play consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt on that – to reveal in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I keep saying 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 watching and praising something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”