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The moment Tony Popovic eventually assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach outlined a series of standards. A lot were clear and concise – ideal in light of the turmoil around his sudden appointment, after Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to get ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers 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 secure, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was another point. More an inspiration and more an evocation – and one that has been cast more distinctly into perspective with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals are the same. The coach, for one, seems truly at home as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for discipline differs greatly with the open and at times cheerful figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team improved, with memories of a loss to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia appearing rather remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s international 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 form that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected precipice of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The results of November warm-up matches 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 – carry weight in this regard.

Even though Popovic concedes that he began in the job assuming to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now thinks the selection he can call upon has swelled. This doesn't only come through the emergence of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as real international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s development into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the potential to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 really have much apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have come into 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 unforeseen appearance of talent, and the change in thinking it has sparked in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can hold out hope that, in June next year, they could be on the roster. A player like Adrian Segečić might be about to sit out a month of playing due to an ankle injury, but if he – or any other player – persists to deliver regularly, then the coach is emphasizing they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end on that – to announce in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more new faces,” 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 broadening, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the hopes others have for them, he wants his team to have the same attitude.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have boundaries’,” 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 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 observing and cheering something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”