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The moment Tony Popovic eventually brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a set of requirements. A lot were unambiguous and direct – perfect given the upheaval following his unexpected entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to deserve, or continue to earn that honour. But there was another theme. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with any step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something extraordinary, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular interviews with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team progressed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing fairly remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment positioned 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

While Popovic concedes that he began in the job expecting to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now thinks the group he can rely on has grown. This doesn't only come through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 truly have much apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the shift in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those circle can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – keeps to deliver regularly, 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 cap or a halt 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 know that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be another player that steps up in June?”

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

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

“I keep saying 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 cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”