🔗 Share this article

When Tony Popovic eventually brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a series of standards. Most were unambiguous and to the point – ideal in light of the upheaval around his unexpected arrival, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or maintain that distinction. But there was another theme. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought sharper into view with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling fairly far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide 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 outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently placed 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.

While Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job thinking to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now believes the pool he can rely on has grown. This isn’t just through the emergence of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability 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 fully have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected appearance of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered among those group can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 play steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt 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 possibility. Why can’t there be an additional player that joins 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 surprise him, to do something remarkable and rise above the hopes 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 confine ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate for being there’.

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