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When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a set of requirements. The majority were straightforward and direct – suitable considering the upheaval following his unexpected arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to deserve, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was an additional point. Not so much an order and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast more distinctly into view with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness differs greatly with the expansive and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team changed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently positioned 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 – loom large in this regard.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now feels the pool he can call upon has swelled. This is not only through the breakthrough of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the potential to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 beyond this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m convinced there are more to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the change in outlook it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – keeps to deliver steadily, 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 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 feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

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

“Saying I want to do something unique 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 pat each other on the back 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 sitting back and cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”