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The moment Tony Popovic at last gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a set of standards. Most were straightforward and to the point – perfect given the upheaval following his sudden appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” attitude to earn, or keep that privilege. But there was a further theme. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought sharper into perspective with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals stay the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s image for strictness stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become periodic discussions with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team improved, with thoughts of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming fairly distant after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those victories came as part of an 11-game winning streak under Popovic, one that was only broken away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment 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 respect.

Although Popovic admits that he began in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can trust has expanded. This is not only through the rise of young players such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to challenge Maty Ryan.

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

This surprising appearance of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those circle can keep faith 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 perform consistently, 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 halt on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to know that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be one more player that joins in June?”

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