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As soon as Tony Popovic at last assembled his initial Socceroos squad, the fresh coach presented a range of standards. The majority were straightforward and concise – perfect given the disruption following his abrupt entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements for critical 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” attitude to secure, or keep that privilege. But there was another theme. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought clearer into focus with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular interviews with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team progressed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling fairly distant after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s global tournament.

Those wins 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 edge of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes 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 last games of European qualifying – are significant in this regard.

While Popovic acknowledges that he began in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a core group of players, he now feels the selection he can trust has swelled. This doesn't only come through the emergence of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the cases of Miloš Degenek’s return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the potential to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely changed in my mind – of what’s possible with players that have come in,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly have much beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have entered 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 surprising rise of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those ranks can remain optimistic that, by 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 play regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a halt on that – to announce 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 chance. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional is just ‘we don’t want to have limits’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to box 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 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 sitting back and cheering something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”