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As soon as Tony Popovic at last assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a series of expectations. The majority were straightforward and direct – ideal in light of the disruption surrounding his unexpected arrival, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with less than three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “elite” mindset to deserve, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was a further message. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought clearer into perspective with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. Similarly have the results of his team improved, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling fairly far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only snapped away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected brink of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November exhibition games 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 remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has swelled. This doesn't only come through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly have much apart from this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are additional ones to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks 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 deliver 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 restriction or a stop 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 opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the expectations 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 participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate for being there’.

“I repeat 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 praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”