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As soon as Tony Popovic at last gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a series of standards. The majority were clear and to the point – perfect in light of the disruption around his sudden appointment, after Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mentality to earn, or maintain that privilege. But there was another theme. Less a demand and a call to greatness – and one that has been thrown clearer into focus with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, seems really settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the results of his team progressed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing quite far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form 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 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 – are significant in this regard.

While Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now feels the group he can trust has grown. This doesn't only come through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t fully have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m sure there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising emergence of talent, and the transformation in thinking it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded among those group can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the flight. 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 – keeps to deliver consistently, then the coach is making clear they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt 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 possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something special and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back 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 special from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”