Cristian Volpato's dramatic last-minute decision to switch international allegiance from Italy to Australia has been rewarded with selection for the World Cup, even before the attacker has made his Socceroos debut.
Volpato and Yengi Headline Squad
Sassuolo playmaker Volpato headlines Australia's 26-man squad alongside uncapped striker Tete Yengi, aged 25. Captain Mat Ryan and veteran Mathew Leckie will head to their fourth World Cup.
Heartbreak for Four Players
However, it was heartbreak for veteran Martin Boyle, defender Kye Rowles, forward Brandon Borrello, and goalkeeper Joe Gauci, who were all cut by coach Tony Popovic.
'A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad,' Popovic said in a statement. 'Some difficult decisions had to be made – that's the nature of major tournaments.'
Youngsters and Debutants
The squad features 17 players selected for their first World Cup, including 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington. Volpato is one of two debutants named in the squad after his switch.
The Socceroos play a friendly against Switzerland in San Diego on Saturday, then group games against Turkey, the United States, and Paraguay.
Volpato's Journey
Sassuolo winger Volpato, 22, only arrived in camp on Saturday morning (local time) – too late to feature in that night's 1-0 loss to Mexico – after switching his allegiance. He had previously rejected Graham Arnold's pitch to join Australia's 2022 World Cup squad and said in March he was waiting for a call-up from Italy's senior team before his change of heart.
Other Squad Notes
Yengi, younger brother of fellow Socceroo Kusini Yengi, was selected despite not playing against Mexico. Harry Souttar and Leckie make the squad after their first Socceroos appearances since 2024 against Mexico. Rowles, a starter in 2022, misses out, as does Boyle, who was injured ahead of Qatar and again falls agonisingly short of reaching a World Cup.
Full Squad
- Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach*, Paul Izzo*, Mat Ryan
- Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos*, Cameron Burgess*, Alessandro Circati*, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria*, Lucas Herrington*, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin*
- Midfielders: Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe*, Paul Okon-Engstler*, Aiden O'Neill*, Nishan Velupillay*
- Forwards: Nestory Irankunda*, Jacob Italiano*, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure*, Cristian Volpato*, Tete Yengi*
* First World Cup selection
