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

As soon as Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a range of expectations. The majority were unambiguous and to the point – perfect given the disruption surrounding his sudden entry, after Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mentality to secure, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another theme. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast clearer into view with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, looks truly at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team improved, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling quite distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide 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 surprising precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, at the moment 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.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job assuming to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can trust has grown. This isn’t just through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback 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 achievable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the change in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those circle 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 – persists to deliver 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 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 know that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us 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 exceed the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I repeat 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 praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”