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When Tony Popovic at last gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a series of requirements. A lot were unambiguous and direct – suitable given the upheaval following his unexpected appointment, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” attitude to deserve, or continue to earn that honour. But there was a further message. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something special, 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, a lot of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Similarly have the results of his team progressed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing quite far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game undefeated 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 unexpected edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November exhibition games against Venezuela, presently 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 – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job expecting to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has grown. 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 cases of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have entered,” 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 entered 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 unforeseen rise of talent, and the shift in thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those ranks can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 perform 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 reveal 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 feel that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”