Cristian Volpato (right), 22, a dual citizen who was born ‌and raised in Sydney, and plays for Sassuolo in Serie A. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Former Italy under-20 international Cristian Volpato has decided to ​represent Australia and will join the ‌Socceroos’ training camp in Los Angeles ​ahead of the World Cup, ⁠Football Australia said on Friday.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, a dual citizen who was born ‌and raised in Sydney, plays for Sassuolo in Serie A.

He ‌turned down a chance to ‌play ⁠for Australia at the 2022 ⁠World Cup, and another approach from Australia coach Tony Popovic earlier this year looked to ​have foundered when ‌Volpato said he was happy to ‘wait for Italy’.

Football Australia said it had received a release letter from its Italian counterpart and lodged paperwork with ​FIFA for “change of association clearance to ratify Volpato’s decision to ⁠switch allegiance to Australia”.

“Once cleared, Volpato will be eligible to officially represent ‌the Socceroos,” the governing body said in a statement.

The news comes days after Australia lost playmaker Riley McGree for the tournament because of a hamstring injury he sustained playing for ‌English club Middlesbrough.

Popovic will name his final ​26-man squad for the June 11 to July 19 tournament in ⁠the United States, Canada and Mexico on ⁠Monday.

Australia plays Turkey, the U.S. and Paraguay in the opening-round ‌group stage, kicking off its campaign against the Turks in Vancouver ​on June 13.

Published on May 29, 2026