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When Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a series of requirements. A lot were unambiguous and concise – perfect in light of the turmoil around his unexpected arrival, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mindset to secure, or maintain that honour. But there was another message. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something extraordinary, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s ambitions stay the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity differs greatly with the open and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely brink of breaking into 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 final games of European qualifying – carry weight in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now thinks the group he can rely on has grown. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the shift in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst 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 miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – keeps to play regularly, 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 limit or a stop 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 chance. Why can’t there be another player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and rise above the expectations 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 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 sitting back and cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”