Four years ago, Cristian Volpato said no to Australia. Now he's saying yes — and the timing couldn't be more convenient for both parties.
The 22-year-old Sassuolo forward, born in Sydney, has joined the Socceroos' training camp in Los Angeles after Football Australia confirmed he's switching national eligibility ahead of the 2026 World Cup. FIFA will rubber-stamp it once the Italian Football Federation's release letter is processed — a formality at this point.
Why this switch makes sense now
When Volpato rejected Australia's call-up before the 2022 tournament, he was playing under José Mourinho at Roma and had genuine ambitions of cracking the senior Italy squad. That path didn't materialise. Italy have now failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups, and Volpato never earned a competitive cap for the Azzurri seniors — which is precisely what keeps the door open under FIFA eligibility rules.
So the calculation changed. A World Cup with Australia beats watching one from the couch.
For the Socceroos, this is a real coup. Volpato brings a technical profile that Australia's attack often lacks — a creative forward comfortable with the ball in tight spaces. Australia's Group D opponents — Turkey, the United States, and Paraguay — are all beatable, and the group format is generous: the top two advance to the round of 32, and even third place can go through.
Australia's World Cup schedule
- June 13 — Australia vs Turkey, Vancouver
- June 19 — Australia vs United States, Seattle
- June 25 — Australia vs Paraguay, Santa Clara (49ers' stadium)
The squad deadline is Monday. Volpato is in camp. Whether he slots straight into the starting XI or provides an impact option off the bench, Australia's attacking odds just became a more interesting conversation.
Italy, meanwhile, are watching a World Cup they didn't qualify for — for the third time running.
