Cristian Volpato to switch allegiance from Italy to Australia in time for World Cup

Cristian Volpato, a 22-year-old attacker, is joining Australia’s training squad ahead of a friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles. He will switch allegiance from Italy to Australia four years after declining an opportunity to represent Australia at the Qatar World Cup. Football Australia has submitted the required paperwork to FIFA and is awaiting confirmation that the change can be completed before coach Tony Popovic names Australia’s 26-player World Cup squad by 1 June. Volpato was born and raised in Sydney and played junior football for Sydney United 58, Sydney FC, and Western Sydney Wanderers before moving to Italy. He represented Italy at Under-19, Under-20, and Under-21 levels, with his last appearance in March 2025. Australia’s persistence has continued despite earlier invitations, including one from Graham Arnold before the 2022 World Cup.

"The Socceroos have been handed a huge boost on the eve of the World Cup with young attacker Cristian Volpato to join up with the training squad before a friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles. The 22-year will make a shock switch of allegiance from Italy to Australia four years after turning down the opportunity to represent the country of his birth at the tournament in Qatar."

"Football Australia is still awaiting confirmation from Fifa that the formalities surrounding Volpato's change of heart can be completed before Socceroos coach Tony Popovic names his 26-player World Cup squad by 1 June. FA has lodged all requisite paperwork to Fifa and is now waiting for the governing body to ratify Volpato's decision to switch allegiance to Australia after representing Italy at the youth level."

"Volpato was born and raised in Sydney and played his junior football at Sydney United 58, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, before moving to Italy. He represented Italy at the Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels from 2022 with a last appearance in a friendly in March 2025."

"Popovic has said in the past that he would never sell the shirt but Volpato is unlikely to make the trip to Los Angeles without being in line for a late call-up to the Socceroos squad for the World Cup, especially with first-choice attacker Riley McGree ruled out this week due to a"

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