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The moment Tony Popovic at last gathered his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a range of expectations. The majority were straightforward and direct – ideal in light of the turmoil around his abrupt arrival, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mentality to earn, or maintain that privilege. But there was an additional theme. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown more distinctly into perspective with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Approximately a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions stay the same. The coach, for one, looks really comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity differs greatly with the open and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. So too have the performances of his team progressed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing quite remote after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, presently ranked 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 – loom large in this context.

Although Popovic concedes that he began in the job assuming to only be able to count on a core group of players, he now feels the group he can call upon has expanded. This doesn't only come through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen appearance of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those group can keep faith that, in 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 – continues to perform steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end 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 believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s initial address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”