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The moment Tony Popovic eventually brought together his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a series of requirements. Most were unambiguous and concise – suitable considering the disruption following his abrupt appointment, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to get ready for critical 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was a further message. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something extraordinary, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That hasn’t changed.”

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions stay the same. The coach, for one, looks really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. So too have the performances of his team changed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia seeming rather remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of entering 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 – carry weight in this context.

Even though Popovic admits that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now believes the pool he can call upon has swelled. This doesn't only come through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This surprising appearance of talent, and the shift in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those ranks can hold out hope that, by June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 consistently, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a stop on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something outstanding and exceed the hopes 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 limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine 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 deep 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 praising something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”