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When Tony Popovic finally gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a series of requirements. Most were unambiguous and direct – suitable in light of the turmoil surrounding his unexpected entry, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” attitude to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was an additional message. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast sharper into perspective with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game undefeated 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 unexpected brink of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results 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 – carry weight in this regard.

Even though Popovic admits that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now thinks the selection he can trust has expanded. This isn’t just 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 wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability 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 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 more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those group can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – keeps to play steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be another player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and exceed 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 box ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors 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 very far 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 special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”