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When Tony Popovic finally assembled his maiden Socceroos squad, the fresh coach detailed a range of standards. The majority were unambiguous and direct – suitable in light of the disruption around his unexpected arrival, following Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with fewer than three weeks to prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who aspired to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “premier” attitude to secure, or maintain that privilege. But there was a further theme. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been cast more distinctly into view with each step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

“My hopes were to do something extraordinary, in my introductory talk to the players,” Popovic says. “That stays constant.”

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, a lot of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s goals remain the same. The coach, for one, seems really comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity sharply contrasts with the open and at times light-hearted figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become frequent sit-downs with football media. So too have the results of his team changed, with thoughts of a loss to Bahrain and stalemate with Indonesia feeling fairly distant after wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June booked the Socceroos’ place 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 unexpected precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The outcomes of November exhibition games against Venezuela, currently positioned 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.

While Popovic admits that he began in the job assuming to only be able to depend on a main squad of players, he now believes the group he can call upon has grown. This is not only through the breakthrough of young players 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 sidelines and Paul Izzo’s blossoming into a bona fide Socceroos keeper with the capability to compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has completely 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 fully have much outside of this. Just make it work and make them better.’ Now, I think like there are 15, 20 players that have joined that, and I’m convinced there are additional ones to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This surprising emergence of talent, and the change in outlook it has brought about in Popovic, has paved the way for players on the fringes of the squad. Even those not yet regarded within those circle can keep faith that, in 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 deliver consistently, then the coach is making clear they’re every chance of being part of his plans.

“I don’t want to put a cap or a halt 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 feel that they have an chance. Why can’t there be one more player that steps up in June?”

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