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The moment Tony Popovic finally assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a set of expectations. The majority were clear and direct – perfect given the turmoil surrounding his unexpected arrival, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to get ready for crucial 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 “elite” attitude to deserve, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was a further theme. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast more distinctly into perspective with each 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 hasn’t changed.”

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, seems really settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline stands in stark contrast with the open and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. So too have the results of his team progressed, with thoughts of a defeat to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing rather remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies 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 remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this context.

Although Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now feels the group he can trust has swelled. This doesn't only come through the emergence of talented youth 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 sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 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 convinced there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising emergence of talent, and the shift in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those ranks can remain optimistic that, by June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 perform consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a halt 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 believe that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s first speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be participants 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 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 cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”