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The moment Tony Popovic eventually gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a set of requirements. Most were straightforward and to the point – perfect given the turmoil surrounding his unexpected appointment, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to prepare for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mindset to secure, or keep that honour. But there was another point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with each step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that team talk 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 manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity stands in stark contrast with the open and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling rather distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game winning 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 surprising edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently ranked 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 – carry weight in this context.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now feels the pool he can rely on has swelled. This isn’t just through the rise of youngsters 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 bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 fully have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the shift in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those circle can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 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 restriction 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 believe that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine 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 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 cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”