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The moment Tony Popovic eventually assembled his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a series of standards. The majority were straightforward and direct – suitable given the upheaval surrounding his abrupt entry, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” mentality to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was a further message. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been cast clearer into perspective with each step taken on the road 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 meeting in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly settled as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team improved, with thoughts of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling rather far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches 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 remaining games of European qualifying – carry weight in this regard.

Although Popovic acknowledges that he started in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now believes the selection he can call upon has expanded. This isn’t just through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 really have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen appearance 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 among those group can remain optimistic that, in 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 play regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop 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 believe that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this growth, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and exceed the expectations 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 limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and celebrate 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 sitting back and cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”