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When Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach detailed a set of standards. Most were straightforward and to the point – perfect given the turmoil following his abrupt appointment, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to represent in a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “elite” attitude to secure, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was an additional point. Not so much an order and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast sharper into focus with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My expectations were to do something extraordinary, in my first talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, looks really at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure holding court for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. Similarly have the fortunes of his team improved, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite far off after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only snapped away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, currently 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 regard.

Even though Popovic concedes that he started in the job assuming to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has swelled. This is not only through the emergence of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s growth into a true Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s attainable with players that have joined,” 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 come into that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen rise of talent, and the change in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst 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 – persists to deliver steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re in with a shot of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap 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 know that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s first 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 restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

“I repeat it to the group: one day, Australia will go very far 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 praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”