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As soon as Tony Popovic at last assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a set of requirements. A lot were clear and direct – perfect in light of the disruption following his sudden arrival, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was a further message. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been brought more distinctly into view with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team improved, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories 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 brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, currently ranked 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the remaining games of European qualifying – carry weight in this regard.

Although Popovic concedes that he started in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now feels the group he can trust has expanded. This doesn't only come through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 really 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 certain there are more to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the change in thinking it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those group can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – persists to play steadily, 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 cap or a end on that – to announce 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 believe that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be another player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something outstanding and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

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