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The moment Tony Popovic eventually brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a series of expectations. Most were clear and to the point – perfect given the disruption following his sudden arrival, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” attitude to earn, or continue to earn that honour. But there was an additional message. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown sharper into view with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something special, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular interviews with football media. Likewise have the results of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming quite far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those triumphs 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November friendlies 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 final games of European qualifying – carry weight in this context.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can trust has grown. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have entered,” 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 sure there are others to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the shift in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those ranks can remain optimistic that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – continues to perform regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

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

But this broadening, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special and rise above 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 restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

“I keep saying 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 sitting back and applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”