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The moment Tony Popovic at last gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a set of standards. The majority were clear and direct – perfect considering the disruption surrounding his sudden appointment, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “top-tier” mindset to secure, or maintain that distinction. But there was a further point. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something remarkable, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, looks truly comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity differs greatly with the expansive and at times jovial figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team progressed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming rather remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories 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 edge of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently positioned 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 context.

Although Popovic concedes that he began in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can rely on has grown. This isn’t just through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the change in outlook it has sparked in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those group can hold out hope that, come 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 deliver consistently, then the coach is stating plainly they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a halt on that – to announce in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more additions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to know that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole 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 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 applauding something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”