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As soon as Tony Popovic finally gathered his first Socceroos squad, the new coach outlined a series of standards. The majority were unambiguous and to the point – ideal considering the upheaval surrounding his abrupt entry, in the wake of Graham Arnold’s resignation, and with less than three weeks to prepare for vital 2026 World Cup fixtures against China and Japan.

Popovic asserted that any player who hoped to pull on a Socceroos shirt would need to adopt an “top-tier” attitude to deserve, or maintain that honour. But there was an additional point. More an inspiration and a call to greatness – and one that has been brought sharper into focus with any step taken on the path towards the World Cup in North America.

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

Just over a year on from that gathering in an Adelaide hotel, plenty of other things have evolved, even if Popovic’s expectations remain the same. The coach, for one, seems truly comfortable as Socceroos head. The 52-year-old’s reputation for austerity stands in stark contrast with the open and at times jovial figure speaking freely for over an hour in what have become semi-regular discussions with football media. Likewise have the fortunes of his team progressed, with recollections of a loss to Bahrain and draw with Indonesia appearing fairly remote after successes over Japan and Saudi Arabia in June guaranteed the Socceroos’ spot in next year’s international tournament.

Those triumphs 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 unlikely precipice of crashing pot two in the World Cup draw. The performances of November friendlies 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 remaining games of European qualifying – are significant in this respect.

Even though Popovic admits that he started in the job thinking to only be able to rely on a main squad of players, he now thinks the pool he can rely on has expanded. This doesn't only come through the rise of youngsters such as Nestory Irankunda, Max Balard, or Mohamed Touré as genuine 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 compete with Maty Ryan.

“The squad has totally 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 beyond this. Just get by and make them better.’ Now, I believe like there are 15, 20 players that have come into that, and I’m certain there are more to come that I believe can help make us better as a squad at the World Cup.”

This unforeseen emergence of talent, and the transformation in mindset it has inspired in Popovic, has created opportunities for players on the periphery of the squad. Even those not yet considered within those circle can remain optimistic that, by June next year, they could be on the roster. 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 – persists to perform consistently, 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 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 believe that they have an possibility. Why can’t there be one more player that joins in June?”

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

“Saying I want to do something exceptional 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 congratulate ourselves for being there’.

“I keep saying 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 watching and praising something remarkable from the Socceroos? Why should we have restrictions? Why not do it now?”