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When Tony Popovic at last gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a set of requirements. The majority were straightforward and concise – perfect considering the turmoil following his unexpected entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, 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 aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mentality to secure, or maintain that honour. But there was another theme. Not so much an order and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast clearer into perspective with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team improved, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing quite distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results 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 final games of European qualifying – loom large in this respect.

Even though 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 group he can rely on has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s blossoming 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 possible with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m sure there are more to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising appearance of talent, and the shift in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those circle can keep faith 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 – persists to play regularly, then the coach is stating plainly they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a end on that – to reveal 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 another player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and rise above the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” 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 emphasize 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 observing and applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”