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When Tony Popovic finally brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a range of requirements. The majority were unambiguous and concise – perfect in light of the turmoil surrounding his sudden appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or keep that honour. But there was an additional theme. Not so much an order and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over 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 genuinely at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity stands in stark contrast with the open and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the results of his team improved, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming quite far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game winning 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 performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, at the moment ranked 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 – carry weight in this context.

Although Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now thinks the selection he can trust has expanded. This isn’t just through the rise 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 reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 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 convinced there are additional ones to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the shift in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those circle can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – persists to deliver regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end on that – to announce in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“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 watching and praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”