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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually brought together his first Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a set of expectations. A lot were unambiguous and concise – ideal given the disruption surrounding his unexpected arrival, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mindset to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was a further message. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought more distinctly into view with each step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the results of his team progressed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s international 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment placed 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 – are significant in this regard.

Even though Popovic concedes that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now believes the pool he can trust has swelled. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with 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 make it work and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected appearance of talent, and the change in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those ranks can hold out hope that, by June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – persists to perform regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt 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 chance. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back 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 attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” 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 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 sitting back and cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”