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The moment Tony Popovic eventually assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a series of expectations. A lot were unambiguous and to the point – suitable in light of the upheaval following his sudden appointment, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mindset to earn, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was an additional message. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been thrown clearer into view with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, looks truly comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness differs greatly with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling fairly distant after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 unlikely precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches 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 last games of European qualifying – loom large in this context.

Even though Popovic admits that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now feels the group he can rely on has expanded. This doesn't only come through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much outside of this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m sure there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the shift in thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those group can keep faith that, in 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 in with a shot of being part of his plans.

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

But this broadening, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” 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 observing and applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”