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The moment Tony Popovic finally gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a set of requirements. The majority were straightforward and concise – ideal given the turmoil following his sudden arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “elite” mindset to earn, or keep that privilege. But there was a further message. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown clearer into view with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, seems really at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. So too have the results of his team changed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming rather remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s international tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently placed 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.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has expanded. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough 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 wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have entered 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 unexpected rise of talent, and the change in thinking it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those ranks can hold out hope 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 – persists to deliver consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a halt on that – to announce 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 know that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be another player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s first address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something outstanding and rise above the hopes 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 limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I repeat 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 special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”