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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a series of requirements. A lot were clear and direct – perfect given the turmoil following his unexpected arrival, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” mindset to earn, or keep that privilege. But there was an additional theme. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought more distinctly into perspective with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the approachable and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. So too have the results of his team improved, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s international 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances 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 last games of European qualifying – are significant in this context.

Although Popovic admits that he began in the job expecting to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now thinks the group he can trust has expanded. This isn’t just through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the obscurity 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 attainable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much outside of this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those circle can remain optimistic that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 – persists to play 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 limit or a end on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more new faces,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box 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 emphasize 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 observing and cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”