{‘Why do we have to wait?’: Popovic imposes no restrictions on what Australia can attain.

When Tony Popovic at last brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a series of expectations. Most were clear and direct – ideal in light of the turmoil around his abrupt entry, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mentality to deserve, or keep that privilege. But there was an additional message. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with any step taken on the journey 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.”

Approximately a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Similarly have the fortunes of his team improved, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing fairly remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global 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 unexpected precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes 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 remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

Even though Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now feels 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 real international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable 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 manage and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m convinced there are others to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those ranks can hold out hope that, by June next year, they could be on the plane. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to be absent for a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – persists to deliver consistently, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance 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 feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 watching and applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”