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When Tony Popovic at last brought together his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a range of expectations. Most were unambiguous and concise – perfect considering the upheaval around his abrupt appointment, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” attitude to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was another point. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown sharper into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, looks truly at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. So too have the performances of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide 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 unlikely brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently placed 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 – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now feels the selection he can trust has grown. This doesn't only come through the emergence of young players 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 development into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with Maty Ryan.

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

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those group can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 perform steadily, then the coach is making clear 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 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 one more player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I repeat it to the group: one day, Australia will go deep 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 restrictions? Why not do it now?”