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The moment Tony Popovic finally brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a set of requirements. Most were clear and to the point – ideal given the disruption following his abrupt entry, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for critical 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 embrace an “elite” mindset to secure, or maintain that honour. But there was a further message. More an inspiration 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 hopes were to do something special, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic sit-downs with football media. So too have the performances of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs 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 edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games against Venezuela, presently positioned 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 – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he began in the job thinking to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has grown. This is not only through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability 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 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 others to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those ranks can remain optimistic that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 – persists to play regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a end on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an chance. 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 first address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and rise above 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 restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 deep 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 cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”