Tony Popovic arrived at the Socceroos job with one clear ambition: to shed the tag of eternal underdog. When the Socceroos qualified for the 2026 World Cup in October, he doubled down on it. "One day Australia will go very far in the World Cup," he said. "Why not this group?"
That question will be answered in North America next June. But in the meantime, Popovic faces the practical challenge of building a 26-man squad that can make good on that promise. With nearly three months to go, injuries mounting across the squad and a clutch of emerging talent fighting for places, the selection puzzle is becoming clearer even as the final picture remains uncertain.
The core of Popovic's squad is settled. Matthew Ryan remains in goal; Alessandro Circati provides defensive solidity; Jackson Irvine anchors the midfield. But around these pillars, a generation of players is emerging to stake its claim. Some already have caps and Popovic's backing. Others are knocking hard on the door.
Between the sticks, the third-choice goalkeeper spot feels genuinely competitive. Patrick Beach, at 22, has impressed in his early Socceroos exposure, including a player of the match performance in his debut against Venezuela. That kind of impact counts with Popovic, and it gives Beach tournament experience without risking the core positions.
Defence has been disrupted by injury. Harry Souttar, a hero from the 2022 World Cup, continues to battle fitness issues. Jack Iredale, uncapped but impressive for Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, offers defensive cover and has been on Popovic's radar since his move to Europe. He made a training camp squad last year, a sign that Popovic sees value in his ability to make tackles, control the ball and find a pass from the back.
Kai Trewin has already done the work to convince. The 24-year-old won the A-League with Melbourne City last season and earned club player of the year honours, then moved to MLS club New York City. He made his Socceroos debut at centre back last November, ticking another box on Popovic's checklist. Versatility matters to this coach. Trewin can play across the back line and into midfield, exactly the kind of flexibility that fits Popovic's 5-4-1 or 5-2-3 formations.
Midfield is where the real depth emerges. Max Balard, a Central Coast favourite now with Dutch side NAC Breda, sits high in defensive statistics and brings box-to-box industry to the role. At 25, he already has five Socceroos caps. Garang Kuol, the electrifying winger who nearly levelled the ledger against Argentina four years ago, has found his exuberance again at Sparta Prague, with 18 appearances and a goal in European competition.
Sam Silvera brings a different kind of flexibility. The Middlesbrough player can operate at right wing, left wing, right wing back and even as a false nine. He has scored twice and set up two more in 20 appearances this season. Popovic wants players who can do multiple jobs. Silvera has also said it is a "privilege" to play for his country, signalling the attitude Popovic values.
Up front, options are tighter. Lachlan Rose, the Newcastle Jets striker, is pushing for the golden boot in the A-League with eight goals. He is tenacious and poacher-like, the kind of centre forward who makes life difficult for defenders. Zac Sapsford, playing for Dundee United after a strong season with Western Sydney, has bagged eight goals in his first Scottish campaign and openly speaks of World Cup ambitions.
What makes this squad selection period different is that injury has forced opportunity. Lewis Miller's ruptured Achilles removes a certainty from the wingback position. Injuries to Souttar and others create genuine space further back. Yet Popovic has insisted there is still time for different or young players to impress before the June 1 deadline. He has three fixtures to assess them: Cameroon on March 27 in Sydney, Curacao on March 31 in Melbourne, and Mexico on May 30 in California.
The Socceroos qualified for their sixth straight World Cup with impressive discipline during qualifying, losing just once. They finished second in their group behind Japan, secure in the knowledge that two places qualified automatically for the 2026 finals. That security is valuable. It means Popovic can blood new players in March friendlies without risking qualification.
Popovic has form in this space. As a defender who played in the 2006 World Cup, he understands what tournament football demands. He has won A-League titles and the AFC Champions League at club level. He knows how to build depth, how to manage expectations, and how to extract maximum performance from available resources.
The squad forming around him is neither star-studded nor lacking ambition. It is seasoned at the core and hungry at the edges. Whether that mix transcends the 'underdog' label will be decided in June. Until then, Popovic will watch his candidates sharpen themselves in European leagues and the A-League. By June 1, he will know who belongs at football's biggest stage.