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When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a set of requirements. Most were straightforward and to the point – ideal in light of the disruption following his unexpected arrival, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mindset to secure, or continue to earn that honour. But there was a further message. Not so much an order and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought sharper into perspective with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions stay the same. The coach, for one, looks truly at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness differs greatly with the open and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results 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 – carry weight in this context.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now feels the selection he can call upon has swelled. This doesn't only come through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m sure there are additional ones to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen rise of talent, and the shift in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those ranks can keep faith that, by 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 – keeps to deliver regularly, then the coach is stating plainly 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 opportunity. Why can’t there be another player that steps up 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 remarkable 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 limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves 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 praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”