Overview
- Cristian Volpato was added to Tony Popovic’s 26-man Socceroos squad for the 2026 World Cup, a selection announced on Monday.
- Football Australia said it received a letter of authorization from the Italian Football Federation, a required step before FIFA can complete Volpato’s change of sporting nationality.
- Volpato is eligible under FIFA rules because he never played an official senior match for Italy and has already joined Australia’s training camp in Los Angeles.
- He is one of 17 players in the squad making their first World Cup appearance and one of two selected who have not yet earned a senior cap for Australia.
- Australia will open Group D against Turkey on June 13 in Vancouver and will also play the United States in Seattle and Paraguay in San Francisco, with Volpato joining preparations that blend diaspora recruits and veteran leaders.