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As soon as Tony Popovic eventually brought together his initial Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a range of standards. Most were unambiguous and concise – perfect considering the turmoil following his sudden appointment, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for crucial 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aimed to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mindset 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 more distinctly into perspective with every step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that meeting in an Adelaide hotel, many of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, appears really at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s image for austerity stands in stark contrast with the open and at times cheerful figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Similarly have the fortunes of his team progressed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia feeling quite remote after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game undefeated 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 precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently positioned 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 – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he arrived in the job expecting to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now thinks the group he can rely on has expanded. This doesn't only come through the emergence 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 return from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a true Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have entered,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t truly have much apart from 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 certain there are additional ones to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unexpected appearance of talent, and the shift in thinking it has inspired in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded 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 miss a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – persists to perform regularly, 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 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 possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that comes in in June?”

But this growth, 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 special and exceed the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something special is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to confine ourselves into ‘let’s be competitors 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 praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”