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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually brought together his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a range of standards. Most were clear and to the point – ideal given the turmoil around his sudden appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” mentality to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was an additional theme. Less a demand and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought sharper into perspective with any step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s ambitions are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness stands in stark contrast with the expansive and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team progressed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming fairly far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins 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 unlikely brink of breaking into 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 final games of European qualifying – carry weight in this respect.

While Popovic admits that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now believes the group he can trust has expanded. This is not only through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe 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 surprising appearance of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet regarded amongst those ranks can keep faith that, in June next year, they could be on the flight. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – continues to perform regularly, then the coach is stating plainly they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end 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 opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us 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 special and go beyond the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I keep saying 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 cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”