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As soon as Tony Popovic at last brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a range of expectations. A lot were unambiguous and direct – ideal in light of the turmoil following his abrupt arrival, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mindset to secure, or keep that honour. But there was a further point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast sharper into perspective with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something special, in my initial talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, looks really comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline differs greatly with the expansive and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become periodic interviews with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team changed, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing fairly far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games against Venezuela, presently 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 – carry weight in this respect.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now thinks the selection he can trust has grown. This isn’t just through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This unexpected emergence of talent, and the change in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those group can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 deliver regularly, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

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

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something remarkable and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“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 competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I emphasize 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?”