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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a series of requirements. The majority were clear and concise – ideal considering the turmoil surrounding his abrupt appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mentality to secure, or maintain that distinction. But there was a further message. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with any step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, looks truly settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. So too have the performances of his team progressed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling quite distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s international tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unlikely brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment placed 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 respect.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job expecting to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now thinks the selection he can call upon has expanded. This is not only through the breakthrough of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the shift in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can remain optimistic that, by June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 regularly, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt on that – to announce in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more additions,” 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 broadening, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves 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 praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”