🔗 Share this article

When Tony Popovic finally brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a range of requirements. The majority were unambiguous and to the point – suitable considering the disruption following his sudden arrival, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “top-tier” attitude to earn, or keep that privilege. But there was an additional theme. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been cast clearer into view with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something extraordinary, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity differs greatly with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team changed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games against Venezuela, at the moment ranked 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the last games of European qualifying – carry weight in this respect.

While Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job expecting to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now thinks the pool he can rely on has expanded. This is not only through the emergence of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the ability to push 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 truly have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m convinced there are others to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the shift in outlook it has sparked in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those circle can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – continues to deliver consistently, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

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

But this broadening, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special and go beyond the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine 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 very far 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”