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As soon as Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a range of expectations. The majority were straightforward and concise – perfect in light of the disruption around his abrupt arrival, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mentality to earn, or keep that distinction. But there was a further point. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown sharper into focus with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something special, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity differs greatly with the open and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. So too have the performances of his team improved, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of crashing 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 remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

Although Popovic concedes that he started in the job thinking to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now feels the group he can trust has expanded. 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 likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m sure there are more to come that I feel 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 opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those circle can keep faith that, by June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 perform regularly, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap 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 feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be participants 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 observing and applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”