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When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a set of requirements. Most were unambiguous and to the point – suitable in light of the upheaval following his sudden arrival, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “premier” mindset to earn, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought sharper into view with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, looks really at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline differs greatly with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. So too have the results of his team progressed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming quite distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances 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 – loom large in this regard.

Although Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now thinks the selection he can call upon has swelled. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of young players 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 blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 truly have much outside of this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m convinced there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the change in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered 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 sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – continues to deliver steadily, 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 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, 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 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 limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

“I emphasize 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”