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

The moment Tony Popovic finally gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a series of expectations. A lot were straightforward and direct – ideal in light of the turmoil around his unexpected appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “premier” attitude to earn, or maintain that privilege. But there was another theme. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been brought more distinctly 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 first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline differs greatly with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. So too have the results of his team progressed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming quite distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s international 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 surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November exhibition games 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 – loom large in this context.

Although Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can trust has swelled. This doesn't only come 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 growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 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 others to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the change in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks can remain optimistic that, come 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 – keeps to deliver 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 restriction or a end 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 believe that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, 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 special and exceed the predictions 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 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 celebrate for being there’.

“I emphasize it to the group: one day, Australia will go very far in the World Cup. And why not this group? Why do we have to wait two or three World Cups, when I’m sitting back and praising something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”