🔗 Share this article

When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his first Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a series of requirements. A lot were straightforward and to the point – suitable given the disruption surrounding his unexpected entry, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “premier” mindset to deserve, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another theme. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown clearer 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 first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, looks truly settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team progressed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming quite distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches 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 – are significant in this regard.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has swelled. This isn’t just through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable 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 entered that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising emergence of talent, and the shift in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 perform steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to reveal in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and exceed the predictions 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 competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I emphasize 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 restrictions? Why not do it now?”