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As soon as Tony Popovic finally gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a series of requirements. The majority were clear and direct – ideal in light of the turmoil following his abrupt entry, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” attitude to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was a further theme. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – 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 expectations were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team progressed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing quite distant 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 unexpected brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, currently 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 – carry weight in this context.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen rise of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst 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 in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a halt 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 opportunity. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

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

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate 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 watching and cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”