Italy-based Cristian Volpato (US Sassuolo Calcio) has been added to the CommBank Socceroos train-on squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and will join the pre-camp in Los Angeles, United States.
Football Australia has 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.
The attacker was born and raised in Sydney and played his junior football at Sydney United 58, Sydney FC and Western Sydney, before moving to Italy. He represented Italy at Under-19 and Under-20 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.
The CommBank Socceroos train-on squad includes: Patrick Beach, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Jordan Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Cameron Devlin, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Ajdin Hrustic, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Jacob Italiano, Paul Izzo, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Paul Okon-Engstler, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar, Mohamed Toure, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato, and Tete Yengi.
The final FIFA World Cup 2026™ squad of up to 26 players is due to be submitted to FIFA by June 1.
The CommBank Socceroos face World Cup co-hosts Mexico at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on May 30 (May 31, AEST), before taking on Switzerland at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on June 6 (June 7, AEST).
Their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign kicks off against Türkiye in Vancouver on June 13 (June 14, AEST). Drawn in Group D, the Socceroos will also face tournament co-hosts the United States in Seattle on June 19 (June 20, AEST) and Paraguay at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara on June 25 (June 26, AEST).