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When Tony Popovic finally brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a range of expectations. The majority were unambiguous and concise – suitable in light of the turmoil following his abrupt arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was another point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought clearer into perspective with any step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness differs greatly with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team changed, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling quite distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global 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 breaking into 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 remaining games of European qualifying – loom large in this regard.

While Popovic admits that he started in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now believes the pool he can rely on has swelled. This is not only through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push 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 fully have much outside of this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have come into 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 rise of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those group can remain optimistic that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 – continues to perform steadily, 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 inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” 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 repeat it to the group: one day, Australia will go very far 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”