{‘Why do we have to wait?’: Popovic sets no restrictions on what Australia can accomplish.

The moment Tony Popovic finally assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a range of requirements. The majority were straightforward and direct – suitable considering the upheaval around his abrupt appointment, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to deserve, or keep that privilege. But there was another theme. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been thrown more distinctly into perspective with each step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something special, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, looks truly at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness differs greatly with the expansive and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular interviews with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team improved, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies 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 final games of European qualifying – carry weight in this context.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now believes the group he can call upon has expanded. This is not only 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 reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those group can hold out hope that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 – continues to play consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a halt 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 believe that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be another player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and exceed the predictions 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 box ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors 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 observing and cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”