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When Tony Popovic finally assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a range of standards. A lot were clear and to the point – suitable considering the upheaval around his abrupt arrival, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with less than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to embrace an “premier” mindset to deserve, or maintain that privilege. But there was another message. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been thrown sharper into perspective with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Approximately a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, looks truly at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s reputation for strictness sharply contrasts with the open and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the performances of his team improved, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing fairly far off after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ place in next year’s international 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 performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games against Venezuela, currently ranked 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 – loom large in this respect.

Although Popovic concedes that he started in the job thinking to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now feels the selection he can trust has expanded. This doesn't only come through the breakthrough of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to compete with Maty Ryan.

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

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the change in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has opened the door for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet considered amongst those ranks can hold out hope that, in 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 – persists to perform regularly, then the coach is stating plainly they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a stop 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 an additional player that joins in June?”

But this broadening, in a way, brings us back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress him, to do something special and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

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

“I emphasize it to the group: one day, Australia will go a long way 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 remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”