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As soon as Tony Popovic at last assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a series of requirements. Most were unambiguous and direct – suitable given the disruption following his sudden entry, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” attitude to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was an additional point. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast more distinctly into view with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, looks truly comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness differs greatly with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team changed, with memories of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November exhibition games against Venezuela, currently ranked 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 regard.

While Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can trust has swelled. This isn’t just through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to compete with Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen rise of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those ranks can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 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 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 opportunity. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first 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 philosophy.

“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 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 sitting back and applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”