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When Tony Popovic finally brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a range of standards. Most were unambiguous and concise – perfect in light of the disruption around his sudden appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” attitude to earn, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was another point. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, appears truly comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team improved, with memories of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing rather distant 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 undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies 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 last games of European qualifying – loom large in this respect.

Even though Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now thinks the pool he can trust has swelled. This is not only through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 get by and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising emergence of talent, and the shift in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those group can hold out hope that, by 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 regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop 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 an additional player that joins in June?”

But this broadening, 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 outstanding and go beyond the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

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