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The moment Tony Popovic at last assembled his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a range of expectations. Most were unambiguous and to the point – perfect considering the upheaval following his unexpected appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was another point. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, looks really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. So too have the results of his team changed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, currently 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 began in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now thinks the group he can trust has swelled. This doesn't only come through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s growth into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 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 additional ones to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected rise of talent, and the shift in outlook it has sparked in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those ranks can keep faith 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 consistently, then the coach is stating plainly they’re highly likely 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 additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to know that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in 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 exceed expectations him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional 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 emphasize 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 applauding something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”