CRISTIAN VOLPATO has swapped Italy for the Socceroos on the eve of their first 2026 World Cup warm-up match.
The star represented Italy internationally at youth level.
But Azzurri are not heading to North America after their penalty defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina in play-off final in April.
Sassuolo’s Cristian Volpato has switched nations ahead of the World Cup Credit: AP
The 22-year-old will now play for the Socceroos, having previously played for Italy’s youth team Credit: Getty
The 22-year-old midfielder was born in but both his parents are second generation Italians – meaning he could play for either youth team.
Reports say the dual international will join the Socceroos camp in LA on Saturday.
And it will be a huge boost for the Socceroos before their friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles on May 31.
He turned down the opportunity from then head coach Graham Arnold to represent his birth country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Fifa has yet to confirm the paperwork to seal Volpato’s national team switch
But it will need to be sorted before coach Tony Popovic names his 26-man squad by 1 June.
The youngest played junior with Sydney United 58, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
He then moved to Italy before he representing Italy at the Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels from 2022.
Australia will play Mexico on May 31 in first World Cup warm-up Credit: Getty
But his last appearance was in a friendly in March 2025.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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