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As soon as Tony Popovic finally brought together his first Socceroos squad, the new coach presented a series of standards. Most were clear and concise – suitable in light of the upheaval following his sudden entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s exit, and with under three weeks to make arrangements 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 take on an “elite” mindset to secure, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was an additional message. Not so much an order and an invitation to excel – and one that has been brought more distinctly into focus with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness differs greatly with the open and at times jovial figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent interviews with football media. So too have the fortunes of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming rather remote 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 winning streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s form that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising brink of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November exhibition games 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.

Even though Popovic admits that he began in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now feels the pool he can trust has grown. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 really have much outside of this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered 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 emergence of talent, and the transformation in outlook it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those circle can remain optimistic that, in 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 – continues to play steadily, then the coach is emphasizing they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a end on that – to reveal in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that joins in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s first speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and exceed the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

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

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