Former Italy under-21 worldwide Cristian Volpato has switched allegiance to Australia earlier than the Socceroos announce their squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup on 1 June.
The 22-year-old midfielder was born and raised in Sydney however holds twin citizenship after transferring to Italy in 2020 to hitch Roma’s youth system. He joined Serie A aspect Sassuolo in 2023 and has represented Italy at youth stage.
Having solely represented Italy at youth stage, Volapto meets one in all 5 completely different units of circumstances that make a participant eligible to switch international allegiance.
Volpato has been added to Australia’s preliminary squad and can participate in a coaching camp in Los Angeles earlier than supervisor Tony Popovic declares his 26-man squad on Monday.
Soccer Australia stated it had acquired a launch letter from its Italian counterparts and lodged the related paperwork with Fifa to ratify Volpato’s choice to change.
Volpato turned down the possibility to characterize Australia on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as a result of he needed to deal with his membership profession in Italy and did not wish to make a “rushed choice” that might “threat being extraordinarily untimely”.
He stated he was joyful to “look forward to Italy” after Popovic approached him earlier this yr.
After Italy did not qualify for a 3rd successive World Cup in March, supervisor Gennaro Gattuso and Italian FA (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina left their positions. Each are but to get replaced.
Earlier this week Australia and Middlesbrough playmaker Riley McGree was dominated out of the match after struggling a hamstring harm through the Championship play-off ultimate.
Australia start their World Cup marketing campaign towards Turkey on Sunday, 14 June (05:00 BST), earlier than going through america and Paraguay.
