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

The moment Tony Popovic finally assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a set of expectations. Most were clear and concise – suitable in light of the turmoil following his abrupt arrival, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or keep that honour. But there was an additional message. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast clearer into perspective with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly settled as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness stands in stark contrast with the open and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming fairly distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those triumphs 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely edge of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently ranked 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 – loom large in this regard.

Although Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine 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 entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m convinced there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those circle can keep faith that, by June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 regularly, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to announce 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 opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

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