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

The moment Tony Popovic eventually gathered his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a series of expectations. The majority were unambiguous and to the point – perfect in light of the disruption around his sudden appointment, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mentality to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was a further theme. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been brought more distinctly into view with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness differs greatly with the open and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team progressed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing quite far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment placed 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the final games of European qualifying – loom large in this respect.

Although 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 rely on has expanded. This isn’t just through the breakthrough 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 obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered among those circle can keep faith that, by June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – persists to deliver steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end on that – to declare 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 another player that steps up in June?”

But this broadening, 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 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 boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”