As soon as Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a range of expectations. A lot were straightforward and to the point – ideal considering the upheaval around his abrupt appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to prepare for critical 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.
Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” attitude to earn, or maintain that distinction. But there was an additional point. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been cast sharper into view with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.
“My visions were to do something special, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”
Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely settled as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity sharply contrasts with the open and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the fortunes of his team changed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming rather distant after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.
Those wins came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently positioned 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 – carry weight in this regard.
Although Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has expanded. This is not only through the emergence of youngsters 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 obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.
“The squad has completely 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 truly have much outside of this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are additional ones to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”
This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the shift in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can remain optimistic that, in 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 – persists to perform consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.
“I don’t want to put a cap 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 believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”
But this expansion, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and rise above the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.
“Saying I want to do something exceptional 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 congratulate ourselves 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 remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”
