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The moment Tony Popovic eventually gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a set of requirements. The majority were unambiguous and direct – ideal considering the turmoil surrounding his abrupt arrival, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mindset to earn, or maintain that privilege. But there was another message. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been brought sharper into view with any step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something special, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, appears truly at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic sit-downs with football media. So too have the results of his team changed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming rather far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game winning 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 unexpected precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November exhibition games 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.

Although Popovic admits that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now feels the group he can trust has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much apart from this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have come into 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 appearance of talent, and the shift in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those group can hold out hope that, come 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 – continues to deliver regularly, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a halt 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 know that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and exceed the hopes 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 limits’,” 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 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 watching and cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”