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When Tony Popovic eventually assembled his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a series of expectations. A lot were clear and to the point – perfect given the disruption following his sudden entry, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” mindset to earn, or keep that honour. But there was another message. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought more distinctly into perspective with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions 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, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the results of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing fairly remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak 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 brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently placed 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 – loom large in this regard.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has grown. This isn’t just through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m sure there are others to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising appearance of talent, and the transformation in thinking it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – continues to deliver regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end on that – to reveal 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 an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole 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 keep saying 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 sitting back and praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”