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The moment Tony Popovic at last assembled his first Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a set of standards. A lot were clear and concise – suitable given the turmoil surrounding his sudden entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to prepare for critical 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 “top-tier” mentality to secure, or continue to earn that privilege. But there was an additional point. Not so much an order and more an evocation – and one that has been brought more distinctly into view with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

A little more than a year on from that team talk in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s expectations stay the same. The coach, for one, seems genuinely at home as Socceroos manager. The 52-year-old’s standing for discipline sharply contrasts 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 performances of his team progressed, with memories of a defeat to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia appearing rather remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s worldwide tournament.

Those triumphs came as part of an 11-game winning 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 edge of breaking into pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, presently 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 respect.

Even though Popovic concedes that he began in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a core group of players, he now thinks the selection he can rely on has expanded. This is not only through the rise of talented youth such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as authentic international players. There are also the likes of Miloš Degenek’s comeback from the sidelines and Paul Izzo’s development into a true 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 entered,” 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 think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m certain there are others to come that I trust can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising rise of talent, and the shift in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those ranks can keep faith that, come June next year, they could be on the plane. 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 – continues to perform steadily, then the coach is stating plainly they’re highly likely of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a limit or a stop on that – to reveal 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 expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s introductory speech as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to surprise him, to do something outstanding and go beyond the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same philosophy.

“Saying I want to do something exceptional 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 pat each other on the back 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 sitting back and praising something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have limits? Why not do it now?”