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When Tony Popovic finally assembled his first Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a range of expectations. Most were straightforward and to the point – perfect in light of the upheaval following his sudden appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” attitude to deserve, or keep that privilege. But there was an additional theme. Not so much an order and a call to greatness – and one that has been thrown more distinctly into perspective with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something extraordinary, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness differs greatly with the open and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. So too have the results of his team progressed, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment positioned 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now feels the group he can trust has expanded. This doesn't only come through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m certain there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those ranks can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 consistently, then the coach is stating plainly they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to know 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 first speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and exceed 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 box ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I repeat it to the group: one day, Australia will go deep 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 cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”