{‘Why do we have to wait?’: Popovic imposes no boundaries on what the Socceroos can attain.

As soon as Tony Popovic finally brought together his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a series of requirements. The majority were straightforward and to the point – perfect given the turmoil around his abrupt appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” mentality to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was another point. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – 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 special, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the results of his team improved, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling rather far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide 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 entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently positioned 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 – are significant in this regard.

Even though Popovic concedes that he started in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now believes the selection he can rely on has expanded. This is not only through the rise of young players 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 obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much apart from this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered 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 unforeseen appearance of talent, and the shift in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out 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 restriction or a halt 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something remarkable and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

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

“I emphasize 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 praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”