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

The moment Tony Popovic finally brought together his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a series of requirements. The majority were unambiguous and to the point – suitable considering the turmoil surrounding his abrupt appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “top-tier” mindset to deserve, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another message. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been brought sharper into view with any step taken on the path 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 meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team changed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed 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 snapped away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently ranked 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 – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now believes the pool he can call upon has expanded. This doesn't only come through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the change in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to be absent for a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – continues 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 limit or a halt 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something remarkable 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 limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be participants 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 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 applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”