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When Tony Popovic finally brought together his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a set of expectations. Most were unambiguous and direct – suitable in light of the turmoil around his abrupt appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mindset to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was a further message. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown clearer into focus with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, seems really settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team progressed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling fairly far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ berth 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies 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 – carry weight in this regard.

Even though Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now believes the pool he can trust has swelled. This isn’t just through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a true 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 come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much apart from this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered 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 emergence of talent, and the change in thinking it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those circle can keep faith that, by 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 steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a stop on that – to announce 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 another player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and rise above the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine 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 observing and cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”