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As soon as Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a range of expectations. The majority were straightforward and concise – perfect in light of the upheaval surrounding his abrupt arrival, after Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mindset to deserve, or keep that distinction. But there was a further theme. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been brought sharper into focus 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.”

A little more than a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, appears truly settled as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular interviews with football media. Similarly have the results of his team progressed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies 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 final games of European qualifying – are significant in this context.

Although Popovic admits that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now feels the group he can call upon has expanded. This is not only through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m sure there are additional ones to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising emergence of talent, and the change in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered among those group can keep faith that, come 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 – keeps to play steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a stop 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 feel that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

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

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 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 watching and praising something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”