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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a series of requirements. Most were clear and to the point – ideal in light of the disruption around his unexpected entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” attitude to deserve, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another message. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast sharper into view with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness stands in stark contrast with the open and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team changed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming quite far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently placed 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 expecting to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now thinks the pool he can call upon has grown. This doesn't only come through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with 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 manage and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the change in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those ranks can remain optimistic that, by 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 – continues to perform consistently, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to reveal 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, brings us back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves 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 observing and applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”