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When Tony Popovic finally assembled his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a series of requirements. Most were clear and to the point – ideal in light of the upheaval around his abrupt entry, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that privilege. But there was an additional message. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been brought sharper into perspective with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something special, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline differs greatly with the expansive and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing fairly remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently positioned 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 – loom large in this regard.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job assuming to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now believes the selection he can trust has expanded. This isn’t just through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much outside of this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain 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 shift in thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those circle can remain optimistic that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – persists to play steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more new faces,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and rise above the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back 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 praising something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”