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The moment Tony Popovic finally brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a range of expectations. Most were clear and concise – suitable considering the turmoil following his unexpected entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” attitude to earn, or keep that distinction. But there was another theme. Not so much an order and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with any step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, appears really settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity stands in stark contrast with the open and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. So too have the performances of his team changed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing fairly far off after successes 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 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 brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances 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 – are significant in this context.

Although Popovic admits that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the pool he can trust has expanded. This isn’t just through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide 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 joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected appearance of talent, and the transformation in thinking it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst 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 miss 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 every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop 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 feel that they have an opportunity. 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 impress him, to do something special and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back 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 sitting back and praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”