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Cristian Volpato has selected Australia over Italy.
The Socceroos announced on Friday evening the Italy-based young gun, who was born and raised in Sydney, will be joining the train-on squad and pre-camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Football Australia said it had “lodged all requisite paperwork to FIFA and is now awaiting a Change of Association Clearance from the world governing body to ratify Volpato’s decision to switch allegiance to Australia after representing Italy at youth level.
“Football Australia has received a release letter from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Once cleared, Volpato will be eligible to officially represent the CommBank Socceroos.”
Volpato, a 22-year-old attacking midfielder and winger, played for Sassuolo in Serie A this past season.
His international allegiance has been a major point of contention ever since he began representing Italy at youth level in 2022.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic had cut his squad down to 29 ahead of a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico on Sunday, needing to name just 26 players for the tournament.
“I spoke to the coach,” Volpato said back in March.
“They’ve been wanting to call me to Australia for a few years, but I grew up watching the Azzurri, even the coach, and I’m waiting for Italy, then we’ll see how the rest goes.”
Popovic and assistant coach Paul Okon travelled to Italy to meet with Volpato at the time.
“We told him about our plans, what we’re trying to do, and then the rest is up to him,” Popovic said.
“There were no ultimatums or any pressure. If he wants to play for Australia, whether it’s in three months, six months, a year … they’re young men, you have to respect the decisions they have to make.
“He’s gone through the junior process, a lot of that with the Italian national teams. He’s a quality young player that has a lot of potential.
“He hasn’t played a lot of football, but recently, the last four games, he’s come on in all of them … and now that he’s indicated he’s open to the idea (of playing for Australia), if he decides (to represent the Socceroos), he comes on the list of our 50 players.
“Then we will monitor him and be in regular dialogue with him in terms of medically and any support that we can give, but we’ll see whether that happens or doesn’t.”
