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The moment Tony Popovic finally assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a set of requirements. A lot were clear and direct – perfect in light of the upheaval around his unexpected appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “premier” mentality to secure, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another theme. Not so much an order and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast clearer into view with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic sit-downs with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team changed, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling fairly remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games 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 last games of European qualifying – loom large in this respect.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now feels the selection he can trust has swelled. This is not only through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 really have much apart from 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 additional ones to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the shift in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those group can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – keeps to play consistently, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end on that – to declare 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 chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be participants 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 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 watching and praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”