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The moment Tony Popovic eventually gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a range of requirements. Most were clear and to the point – ideal considering the disruption following his unexpected entry, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mindset to secure, or keep that honour. But there was an additional message. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast clearer into focus with each step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something extraordinary, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity differs greatly with the open and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. Similarly have the fortunes of his team progressed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently 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 – carry weight in this regard.

Although Popovic concedes that he began in the job assuming to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now thinks the pool he can rely on has expanded. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond 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 feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those circle can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 play steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a halt on that – to declare 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 another player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s initial talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the predictions 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 box 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 very far in the World Cup. And why not this group? Why do we have to wait two or three World Cups, when I’m observing and praising something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”