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The moment Tony Popovic eventually brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a set of expectations. A lot were clear and concise – ideal given the turmoil surrounding his sudden appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “premier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was a further point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been thrown sharper into view with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, looks genuinely settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling quite remote after victories 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 unbeaten run 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 unlikely edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes 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 – are significant in this regard.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job expecting to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now feels the pool he can trust has swelled. This is not only through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 truly have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those ranks can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – continues to perform steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to announce in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory 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 attitude.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” 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 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 remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”