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The moment Tony Popovic at last brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a series of standards. A lot were straightforward and direct – suitable considering the turmoil surrounding his sudden appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “top-tier” mentality to deserve, or maintain that distinction. But there was another message. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown more distinctly into focus with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team improved, with thoughts of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 unexpected edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games against Venezuela, at the moment placed 50th in the world, and 13th-ranked Colombia – as well as Ecuador’s games against Canada and New Zealand, and the remaining games of European qualifying – carry weight in this context.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to count on a key players of players, he now believes the selection he can call upon has grown. This is not only through the breakthrough of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much apart from this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m sure there are more to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected rise of talent, and the transformation in thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered among those ranks can remain optimistic that, come June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 – persists to deliver regularly, 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 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 believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be an additional player that joins in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole 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 a long way 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 exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”