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The moment Tony Popovic at last gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a set of requirements. Most were clear and to the point – ideal given the disruption around his abrupt arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mentality to deserve, or keep that distinction. But there was another point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been thrown sharper into perspective with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team changed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently 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 context.

Although Popovic admits that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now feels the group he can call upon has swelled. This isn’t just through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 fully have much apart from this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m sure there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising appearance of talent, and the change in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those group can keep faith that, by 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 highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a halt on that – to reveal 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something outstanding and rise above the expectations 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 restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate for being there’.

“I keep saying 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 applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”