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When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his first Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a series of requirements. The majority were clear and direct – perfect considering the disruption surrounding his unexpected entry, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” attitude to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was another message. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown sharper into perspective with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something remarkable, in my first 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 goals stay the same. The coach, for one, seems really at home as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team changed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing fairly distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game undefeated 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 unlikely precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes 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 final games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

Although Popovic concedes that he started in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can rely on has grown. This isn’t just through the emergence of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic 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 joined,” 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 think like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m convinced there are others to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those group can remain optimistic 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 – keeps to play regularly, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end on that – to declare 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 know that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be another player that steps up in June?”

But this broadening, 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 outstanding and rise above the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I keep saying it to the group: one day, Australia will go very far in the World Cup. And why not this group? Why do we have to wait two or three World Cups, when I’m observing and praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”