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

The moment Tony Popovic finally brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a range of expectations. A lot were unambiguous and direct – perfect in light of the disruption around his sudden appointment, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “top-tier” attitude to earn, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was a further theme. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought more distinctly into focus with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak 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 unexpected brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, at the moment 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 – are significant in this context.

While Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the selection he can rely on has expanded. This doesn't only come through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 fully have much outside of this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m sure there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen rise of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those ranks can hold out hope that, in 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 – continues to play steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to reveal in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads 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 outstanding and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”