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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a series of requirements. A lot were unambiguous and to the point – perfect given the disruption surrounding his abrupt entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “top-tier” mentality to deserve, or continue to earn that honour. But there was another message. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought more distinctly into perspective with each step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline stands in stark contrast with the open and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. So too have the results of his team improved, with memories of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming rather distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, at the moment placed 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 – loom large in this regard.

Although Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can rely on has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth 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 come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much beyond 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 more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the change in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those circle can remain optimistic that, by June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – continues 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 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 know that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and rise above the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique 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 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 observing and applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”