🔗 Share this article

The moment Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a series of standards. A lot were clear and concise – suitable considering the turmoil following his sudden arrival, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to get ready for crucial 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 “top-tier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that privilege. But there was another point. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been brought more distinctly into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, looks truly comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the fortunes of his team progressed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming rather far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game winning 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 surprising edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games against Venezuela, currently placed 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 – loom large in this context.

While Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now thinks the pool he can rely on has swelled. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly 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 trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected appearance of talent, and the shift in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those circle can hold out hope that, by June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – continues to play 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 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 know that they have an opportunity. 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 surprise him, to do something outstanding 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 restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

“I keep saying 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 remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”