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The moment Tony Popovic eventually gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a range of expectations. Most were straightforward and concise – suitable considering the turmoil around his unexpected arrival, after Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to prepare for critical 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was an additional message. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought more distinctly into focus with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something special, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, looks really settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. So too have the results of his team changed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing rather distant after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game winning streak 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 surprising brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment 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 – carry weight in this context.

While Popovic admits that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now believes the selection he can rely on has expanded. This isn’t just through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have joined 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 change in thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed 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 – persists to perform regularly, then the coach is making clear they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

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

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and exceed 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 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”