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When Tony Popovic at last gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a set of expectations. The majority were straightforward and direct – perfect considering the upheaval around his unexpected appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “elite” mentality to deserve, or maintain that privilege. But there was an additional point. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been cast clearer into perspective with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness sharply contrasts with the approachable 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 fortunes of his team progressed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming quite remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November friendlies 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 final games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

While Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job assuming to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now believes the pool he can trust has grown. This isn’t just through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I believe 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 unforeseen rise of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those ranks can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – persists to deliver consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a halt on that – to announce 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 an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and exceed the predictions 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 restrictions’,” 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 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 sitting back and applauding something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”