Cristian Volpato is done waiting for Italy to call. The 22-year-old Sassuolo forward has switched national eligibility to Australia and joined the Socceroos' training camp in Los Angeles, with the 2026 World Cup squad to be finalised by Monday.
Four years ago, Volpato said no to Australia when he was playing under José Mourinho at Roma. That version of him was betting on a future in the Azzurri setup. Italy's third consecutive World Cup absence — their campaign ended in qualifying again — appears to have settled the argument.
Why the switch works under FIFA rules
Volpato is eligible to make the move because he never featured in a competitive match for Italy's senior side. Football Australia confirmed it has received a release letter from the Italian Football Federation, the key bureaucratic step before FIFA signs off. Sydney-born and carrying an Australian passport, there's no ambiguity about his eligibility on the Socceroos' end.
For Australia, this is a genuine upgrade in the final third. Volpato brings craft, technical quality, and Serie A experience to a Socceroos attack that has been searching for a creative spark since the 2023 World Cup run. Whether Graham Arnold's successor — or Arnold himself — uses him as a starter or a difference-maker off the bench, he changes the texture of what Australia can do in possession.
Australia's Group D picture
The Socceroos open against Turkey on June 13 in Vancouver, face the United States on June 19 in Seattle, then close Group D against Paraguay on June 25 at Levi's Stadium. The top two advance automatically; the third-place team can also go through depending on the broader group standings across the tournament.
That format gives Australia a realistic shot at the round of 32, and a player of Volpato's profile makes them slightly harder to price as pure underdogs in the group. Turkey and the US are the obvious obstacles, but neither game is unwinnable.
Italy, meanwhile, are watching another World Cup from home — and watching one of their own Under-21 players suit up for someone else.
