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As soon as Tony Popovic at last assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a series of expectations. Most were unambiguous and concise – suitable considering the turmoil around his unexpected arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” attitude to earn, or maintain that privilege. But there was a further theme. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown clearer into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, looks genuinely at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes 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 final games of European qualifying – loom large in this context.

Even though Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now feels the pool he can trust has expanded. This is not only through the rise of young players 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 sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to push 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 apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I feel 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 shift in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those ranks can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – keeps to play 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 stop on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more new faces,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special 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 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 restrictions? Why not do it now?”