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When Tony Popovic at last assembled his first Socceroos squad, the new coach detailed a set of standards. The majority were clear and to the point – perfect given the disruption around his sudden entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s departure, and with under three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “elite” attitude to earn, or continue to earn that honour. But there was an additional message. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been brought more distinctly into perspective with every step taken on the road towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have shifted, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, appears truly settled as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity differs greatly with the approachable and at times light-hearted 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 progressed, with thoughts of a defeat to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia feeling quite remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ berth in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those wins came as part of an 11-game undefeated streak under Popovic, one that was only ended away by the United States earlier this month. It’s performance that has taken the Socceroos to the surprising precipice of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies against Venezuela, at the moment 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 – carry weight in this respect.

While Popovic admits that he started in the job expecting to only be able to rely on a key players of players, he now believes the group he can rely on has swelled. This isn’t just through the breakthrough of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s return from the obscurity and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability 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 apart from this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I feel like there are 15, 20 players that have entered that, and I’m certain there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising appearance of talent, and the shift in mindset it has sparked in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those circle can remain optimistic that, by 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 – keeps to perform steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a end on that – to declare 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be another player that steps up in June?”

But this growth, in a way, returns us to Popovic’s first address as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to impress 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 confine ourselves into ‘let’s be participants at the World Cup, and let’s go home and congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I repeat 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 observing and applauding something special from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”