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

The moment Tony Popovic finally gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a set of expectations. A lot were unambiguous and concise – perfect considering the upheaval following his abrupt appointment, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “elite” mindset to deserve, or keep that honour. But there was a further message. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

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, appears genuinely comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline stands in stark contrast with the open and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. So too have the performances of his team changed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games against Venezuela, presently 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 regard.

Although Popovic concedes that he began in the job thinking to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine 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 come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have come into 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 rise of talent, and the shift in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those ranks can remain optimistic that, by 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 play steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit 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 know 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 first address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” 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 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 applauding something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”