Popovic and Socceroos Dare to Dream at World Cup
- Caydn Foley
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Johnny Warren famously said, “I’m sick of us saying 'when are we going to qualify for a World Cup?' Instead of, when are we going to win the World Cup?”
Before the 2026 World Cup, Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic echoed those words, saying his side were not going to the US just to participate, but to try and go as far as possible.
But last Saturday morning, Popovic’s actions didn't seem to reflect that mentality.
The decision to rest both goal scorers from the previous game, Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, was surprising, and could have been acceptable if Popovic had replaced them with players of a similar archetype.
Instead, the coaching staff opted for Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay, two players who entered the tournament in poor form.
Leckie is 35-years-old and had played only three A-League games this past season due to recurring injuries.
While it's understandable that Popovic would want Leckie in the squad for his leadership and World Cup experience, the Melbourne City star is at a time in his career where he should not be starting for the Socceroos against an opposition of the United States’ calibre.
Velupillay is a young, talented player who, despite not being in great form recently in the A-League, is a good depth option, but not a player who would be considered at the level required if Australia wants to really push for its best-ever World Cup performance.
It looked like Popovic wanted to use those two players in a more defensive role, to keep the Socceroos well-drilled and compact, soaking up pressure while trying to score on counter-attacks.
But that plan was obviously not going to work against the US, whose talented midfielders, such as Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, cut through our low block with ease. That put so much pressure on our defence that Cameron Burgess’ own goal in the 11th minute put the US firmly in the driver's seat to control the rest of the game.
Popovic claimed he rested Irankunda and Metcalfe because they looked tired throughout the week, and he thought they would be better coming off the bench and bringing a bit of energy in the second half.
If Popovic's claim is the true reason they were not in the starting line-up, then questions need to be asked about the Socceroos' performance staff's inability to have players ready to go after six days off.
A better option would have been to start them with firm minute restrictions, so they did not have to play the full 90 but could still help the Socceroos play at the level required right off the bat and avoid chasing the game the second they stepped onto the pitch.
READ MORE ON FPF
ALEX FIECHTNER: Goals, glory, and a dream reborn
To be honest, I don't buy Popovic’s reasoning for those selections; I think the spectacle and occasion got to him, and he opted to set up like we were the definitive underdogs, trying to snatch a result rather than playing to dominate and go for the win.
In the post-Postecoglou Socceroos era, Australia's biggest issue has been doubting ourselves on the world stage.
Under Graham Arnold, the Socceroos became big believers in a concept known as “Aussie DNA”, which highlights Australian athletes' heart, grit, and determination.
On its own, this is not ridiculous, but Australian football is on the precipice of a second golden generation, with young players coming through the ranks with technical ability we have not seen before.
So, while it is fine to have that Aussie DNA embedded in our side, we must not fall into the trap of seeing ourselves as perpetual underdogs, especially when we get put into a World Cup group that we have more than enough ability to top.
Coincidentally, the US are a useful example for the Socceroos to try and replicate.
Yes, they do have a much larger pool of players to choose from and more money invested in the sport in general, but on the World Cup stage, the US are still viewed as underdogs and a country with virtually no chance of winning the tournament.
But when you see them on the pitch, you would not know that; they play with a swagger, and regardless of the country's borderline ridiculous levels of self-confidence, the actual gap in skill level between the US and the Socceroos is not as wide as you may think. That is the standard Australia should be aiming to match.
If Popovic truly believes that one day the Socceroos can win a World Cup, he needs to put his money where his mouth is.
He should back those words up with some bravery and perhaps even demonstrate some of that Aussie DNA by putting forward a truly positive and attacking line-up in the final game of the group stage against Paraguay.
We are more than capable of having our best-ever World Cup finish this tournament, but just like the late great Warren said, “call me a dreamer.”
Comments