🔗 Share this article

When Tony Popovic eventually assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a range of requirements. Most were unambiguous and to the point – ideal given the turmoil around his abrupt arrival, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or keep that privilege. But there was an additional point. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something remarkable, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions stay the same. The coach, for one, looks really at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Likewise have the results of his team changed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming quite far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely precipice of entering 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 regard.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has grown. This doesn't only come through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m sure 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 thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those circle can remain optimistic that, by 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 – persists to deliver consistently, 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 declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to know that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be one more player that joins in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s first address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box 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 repeat it to the group: one day, Australia will go deep 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”