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The moment Tony Popovic eventually gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a set of standards. The majority were straightforward and concise – suitable in light of the disruption following his sudden arrival, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “premier” mentality to earn, or keep that privilege. But there was another theme. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes 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 gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, looks really comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. Likewise have the results of his team progressed, with memories of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing fairly remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed 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 snapped away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of breaking into 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 last games of European qualifying – carry weight in this context.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job thinking to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the pool he can call upon has grown. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have come into 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 surprising rise of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those circle can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – keeps to perform steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt on that – to reveal 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 one more player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, 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 outstanding and rise above the predictions 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 restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders 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 deep in the World Cup. And why not this group? Why do we have to wait two or three World Cups, when I’m observing and cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”