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When Tony Popovic at last gathered his maiden Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a range of standards. Most were straightforward and direct – suitable considering the disruption following his abrupt arrival, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aspired to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mentality to secure, or maintain that distinction. But there was another point. Less a demand and more an evocation – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, appears genuinely comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity differs greatly with the open and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become periodic sit-downs with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team changed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing rather remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising edge of entering 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 – carry weight in this regard.

Even though Popovic admits that he began in the job expecting to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now believes the selection he can call upon has expanded. This doesn't only come through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This surprising appearance of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed within those ranks can hold out hope that, come June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – continues to perform steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap 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 feel that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something special and exceed 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 competitors 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 praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”