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

When Tony Popovic finally assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a range of expectations. Most were unambiguous and direct – perfect considering the turmoil following his abrupt arrival, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “elite” mindset to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was another point. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown more distinctly into view with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the results of his team progressed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling fairly distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories 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 exhibition games 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 last games of European qualifying – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now feels the group he can call upon has grown. This is not only through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much beyond this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have joined 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 surprising emergence of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those group can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – continues to perform regularly, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end 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 feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors 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 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 sitting back and praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”