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When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a series of requirements. The majority were clear and direct – perfect considering the turmoil following his unexpected arrival, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to prepare 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 take on an “elite” mentality to deserve, or keep that honour. But there was another theme. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown sharper into focus with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, looks really settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline sharply contrasts with the approachable and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team improved, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins 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 breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games against Venezuela, presently positioned 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 concedes that he started in the job assuming to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can call upon has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of youngsters 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 sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 truly 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 convinced there are more to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected rise of talent, and the change in thinking it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered among those group can hold out hope 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 – keeps to perform consistently, then the coach is making clear they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a stop on that – to announce 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 an additional player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us 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 exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate 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 watching and applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”