🔗 Share this article

The moment Tony Popovic at last gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a set of standards. Most were straightforward and concise – suitable given the disruption following his abrupt arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mindset to secure, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was a further point. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with any step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, looks really settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline sharply contrasts with the open and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team improved, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games 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 remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now believes the selection he can rely on has grown. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough 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 return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the shift in thinking it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those ranks can remain optimistic that, come 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 steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

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

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something special 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 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 cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”