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The moment Tony Popovic eventually assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a range of expectations. A lot were clear and direct – perfect in light of the upheaval around his unexpected arrival, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “top-tier” mindset to secure, or maintain that distinction. But there was a further message. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought more distinctly into view with each step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, looks truly at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with memories of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling rather far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s international tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games against Venezuela, currently ranked 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 – carry weight in this regard.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now believes the selection he can call upon has swelled. This doesn't only come through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have come in,” 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 others to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the change in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those circle can keep faith that, by June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – continues 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 limit or a stop 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the hopes 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 box ourselves into ‘let’s be participants 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 watching and cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”