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The moment Tony Popovic eventually brought together his first Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a range of standards. The majority were unambiguous and to the point – suitable considering the upheaval following his unexpected appointment, following Graham Arnold’s exit, and with fewer than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mentality to earn, or continue to earn that honour. But there was a further theme. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast more distinctly into view with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Approximately a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, looks genuinely comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team changed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling rather distant after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game undefeated 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 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 final games of European qualifying – are significant in this context.

Although Popovic concedes that he began in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now feels the selection he can trust has expanded. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are additional ones 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 inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those ranks can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – keeps to play consistently, 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 cap or a end on that – to reveal 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 steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and go beyond the expectations others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be participants 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 watching and cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”