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When Tony Popovic eventually brought together his first Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach presented a set of standards. Most were unambiguous and to the point – perfect in light of the disruption around his sudden entry, following Graham Arnold’s departure, and with fewer than three weeks to make arrangements for vital 2026 World Cup qualifiers against China and Japan.

Popovic insisted that any player who hoped to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to take on an “elite” mindset to secure, or continue to earn that honour. But there was a further theme. Not so much an order and an invitation to excel – and one that has been thrown 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 remains the same.”

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline sharply contrasts with the expansive and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Similarly have the results of his team changed, with recollections of a defeat to Bahrain and tie with Indonesia seeming quite far off after victories over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game unbeaten run 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 crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes 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 final games of European qualifying – loom large in this context.

Although Popovic concedes that he started in the job expecting to only be able to count on a main squad of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has swelled. This doesn't only come through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the examples of Miloš Degenek’s reappearance from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the capability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has entirely 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 fully have much apart from this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m convinced there are additional ones to come that I feel can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the change in mindset it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet viewed amongst those circle can hold out hope that, by June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – keeps to perform consistently, then the coach is making clear 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 believe that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s introductory address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the expectations 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 box ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves 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 observing and cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have boundaries? Why not do it now?”