Socceroos coach Tony Popovic named Italy under-21 international Cristian Volpato in his 26-man World Cup squad on Monday after transferring his allegiance to Australia last week.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who was born and raised in Sydney and plays for Sassuolo in Serie A, is one of two uncapped players, along with Japan-based striker Tete Yengie.
The squad is led by experienced goalkeeper Mat Ryan after an excellent season with La Liga side Levante. He will participate in his fourth World Cup, just like Melbourne City striker Mathew Leckie.
Seventeen players are on the global showpiece for the first time.
“Some tough decisions had to be made, that’s the nature of big tournaments,” Popovic said.
“But it is also an honor for all the players involved in recent weeks, who have worked extremely hard during an extensive and challenging pre-camp.”
Volpato’s late move to Australia on Friday is a welcome boost after injured Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree was ruled out of the tournament.
Australia, playing its sixth consecutive World Cup, is in Group D alongside Turkey, which co-hosts the United States and Paraguay.
THE TEAM
Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach (Melbourne City/AUS), Paul Izzo (Randers FC/DEN), Mathew Ryan (Levante/ESP).
Defenders: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City/AUS), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord/NED), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City/ENG), Alessandro Circati (Parma/ITA), Milos Degenek (Apoel Nicosia/CYP), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata/JPN). AK/AUT), Harry Souttar (Leicester/ENG), Kai Trewin (New York City/USA).
Midfielders: Cameron Devlin (Hearts/SCO), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo/NED), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli/GER), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli/GER), Aiden O’Neill (New York City/USA), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC/AUS).
Forwards: Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Castellon/ESP), Mohamed Toure (Norwich/ENG), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo/ITA) and Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia/JPN).
Published on June 1, 2026
