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The moment Tony Popovic finally brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a set of requirements. Most were clear and to the point – suitable given the disruption surrounding his abrupt entry, after Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mentality to secure, or continue to earn that distinction. But there was another message. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been cast more distinctly into focus with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, appears really settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for discipline differs greatly with the open and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team improved, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming rather remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment positioned 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 respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now believes the pool he can rely on has expanded. This is not only through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have come in,” 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 certain there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen rise of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those circle can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – keeps to play consistently, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance 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 inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to know that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that joins in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something remarkable and rise above the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

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