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When Tony Popovic eventually gathered his initial Socceroos squad, the recently appointed coach outlined a series of standards. The majority were clear and concise – perfect in light of the disruption surrounding his sudden entry, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with under three weeks to get ready for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic maintained that any player who aimed to wear a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” mindset to earn, or continue to earn that honour. But there was another theme. More an inspiration and an invitation to excel – and one that has been cast clearer into focus with every step taken on the journey towards the World Cup in North America.

“My visions were to do something remarkable, in my initial 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, many of other things have changed, even if Popovic’s ambitions remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos boss. The 52-year-old’s standing for austerity stands in stark contrast with the approachable and at times light-hearted figure engaging openly for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Likewise have the performances of his team changed, with recollections of a setback to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia seeming rather remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June secured the Socceroos’ place in next year’s global tournament.

Those triumphs 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 momentum that has taken the Socceroos to the unexpected brink of entering pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November warm-up matches against Venezuela, at the moment placed 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 – carry weight in this regard.

While Popovic acknowledges that he arrived in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a key players of players, he now feels the selection he can rely on has swelled. This doesn't only come 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 return from the wilderness and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a genuine Socceroos keeper with the ability to push Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally changed in my mind – of what’s achievable with players that have joined,” Popovic says. “I first thought, ‘OK, this is my group; I don’t really have much beyond this. Just manage and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have come into 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 unexpected appearance of talent, and the change in thinking it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the edges of the squad. Even those not yet viewed among those group can remain optimistic that, in 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 – persists to perform steadily, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a restriction or a end on that – to declare in March that this is our squad, and there may be one or two more inclusions,” Popovic says. “No, I want every player to believe that they have an opportunity. Why can’t there be an additional player that comes in in June?”

But this expansion, in a way, leads back to Popovic’s initial talk as Socceroos head coach. For just as much as he wants players to exceed expectations him, to do something remarkable and go beyond the predictions others have for them, he wants his team to have the same mindset.

“Saying I want to do something unique is just ‘we don’t want to have restrictions’,” Popovic says. “We don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves into ‘let’s be contenders at the World Cup, and let’s go home and pat each other on the back for being there’.

“I emphasize 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 sitting back and cheering something exceptional from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”