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The moment Tony Popovic finally assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a series of requirements. The majority were clear and direct – perfect given the turmoil following his abrupt entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was another point. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast more distinctly into perspective with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, seems really settled as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team improved, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling rather distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment ranked 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 – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job expecting 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 talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

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

This unexpected rise of talent, and the change in thinking it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those group 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 deliver steadily, then the coach is stating plainly 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 additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to believe that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional 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 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 sitting back and applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”