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When Tony Popovic finally assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a series of expectations. A lot were unambiguous and to the point – perfect in light of the turmoil following his unexpected entry, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to deserve, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was a further theme. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been cast more distinctly into focus with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness sharply contrasts with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular interviews with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming quite distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game undefeated 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 unlikely edge of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently 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 context.

While Popovic concedes that he began in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now thinks the selection he can call upon has swelled. This doesn't only come through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 really have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m convinced there are additional ones to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected rise of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those group can remain optimistic 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 – keeps to perform consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt 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 possibility. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

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

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