The Subway Socceroos are off to another FIFA Men’s World Cup after former A-Leagues boss Tony Popovic arrived in September and steadied the Australian ship.
When Graham Arnold sensationally stood down in September, the Socceroos needed someone to pick up the pieces.
With one point from two games without scoring a goal before Arnold walked away after a shock loss to Bahrain, Australia were in real danger of missing the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Enter Tony Popovic.
SIX IN A ROW: Socceroos seal World Cup spot as A-Leagues icon completes epic turnaround
According to reports at the time, the former Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory boss was not even the number one choice amid talk regarding Kevin Muscat and Peter Cklamovski having guided the Victory to the 2023-24 Grand Final before leaving.
But Popovic answered the call of his desperate nation, who he represented 58 times, including at the drought-ending 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“I always dreamed that this role is possible,” the 51-year-old told reporters at his introductory press conference in September. “Now I’m dreaming it’s possible we come first in the group. I’m dreaming that it’s possible we do something special at the World Cup.
“But I also know that dream is just one part, you have to work. We have to work at a standard, at elite level to give us an opportunity to do something special.”
WONDERKID WATCH: ‘Scary’ Sydney FC sensation lights up NPL with stunning solo goal
Popovic had to hit the ground running with the Socceroos.
His debut game highlighted the coach’s faith in Isuzu UTE A-League talent. Melbourne Victory’s Nishan Velupillay capped his maiden appearance with a goal in October’s 3-1 triumph at home to China. Geria – still playing for Victory at the time – also returned to the international fold for the first time in eight years.
Popovic delivered on what he said in his first Socceroos press conference.
“I’ve seen Aziz Behich play the last couple of games and he is from the A-Leagues. He doesn’t have that European conditioning and he played well in both games,” he said at the time.
“A-League players should all be aware and know they could also get selected for this game.”
It carried on throughout the remainder of the AFC Round 3 qualification campaign.
The likes of Anthony Caceres (Sydney FC), Luke Brattan (Macarthur Bulls), Hayden Matthews (Sydney FC at the time before joining Portsmouth), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory), Brandon Borrello (Western Sydney Wanderers), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Kai Trewin (Melbourne City) and Kasey Bos (Melbourne Victory) have all been picked from the A-Leagues during the Socceroos’ road to the 2026 showpiece.
And with Popovic at the helm, the Green and Gold went unbeaten for the remainder of the qualification campaign en route to a sixth consecutive World Cup – eight games in total (W5 D3).
This window capped an impressive turnaround that once again highlighted, not only Australia’s spirit and never-say-die attitude, but the ability of those based in the A-Leagues.
INTERVIEW: ‘Really important aspect’ of City’s title triumph ‘can’t be overlooked’
YOUR LEAGUE, MY LEAGUE, OUR LEAGUE: A Grand Final that reminded us why we love the game
Last week, the Socceroos beat Japan for the first time since 2009. On Wednesday, Mitch Duke and Connor Metcalfe helped Australia conquer Saudi Arabia away from home for the first time in 14 years.
“Very satisfying right now,” Popovic told Paramount+ afterwards. “It’s been a very intense period since I’ve joined. I’ve loved it so far.
“We’ve done the first part – qualifying automatically. Now the next part is to be bigger and better for the World Cup.”
He added: “We’ve built a good foundation now. we want to really get better, kick on and try and do something special at the World Cup.”
When John Aloisi’s famous penalty ended a 32-year wait to return to the World Cup, this moment was unthinkable.
Australia have now been an ever-present on football’s biggest stage for two decades.
That it is Popovic who has engineered this latest qualification – and in some style – is poetic.
He started that night against Uruguay in 2005. He featured at the World Cup in Germany. Now, after honing his craft in the A-Leagues, he has taken Australia back to the tournament after an extraordinary start to his tenure as national team boss.
Bring on the World Cup.
