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When Tony Popovic eventually assembled his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a series of expectations. The majority were straightforward and to the point – ideal in light of the upheaval following his sudden entry, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mindset to earn, or keep that distinction. But there was an additional point. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown more distinctly into focus with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team changed, with memories of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak 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 unlikely precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November exhibition games against Venezuela, at the moment 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 – are significant in this context.

While Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now thinks the selection 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 genuine international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge 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 really have much apart from this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are additional ones to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising appearance of talent, and the change in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks can hold out hope that, by 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 – keeps to deliver steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely 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 additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and go beyond the expectations 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 confine ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate for being there’.

“I repeat 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 observing and praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”