Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic has unveiled his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a selection that has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. The most notable inclusion is Cristian Volpato, who has switched allegiance from Italy to Australia just days before the tournament.
Volpato's Controversial Selection
The 22-year-old winger, born and raised in Sydney, previously represented Italy at youth levels and had publicly stated his desire to play for the Azzurri. However, after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup and continued to overlook him, Volpato has now accepted a call-up from the Socceroos. This decision has divided opinion, given his past comments mocking the Australian team. One fan remarked, "Volpato taking Boyle's place is criminal. Where's the loyalty?" Another added, "I really hope he's good because getting into the squad without a minute of play is a slap to players who gave everything."
Boyle's Heartbreak
Martin Boyle is arguably the biggest casualty, missing out after recovering from an ACL injury that kept him from the 2022 World Cup. The 33-year-old has scored ten goals in 41 appearances for Australia and was expected to be a key figure. Football journalist Joey Lynch described it as "absolutely heartbreaking," while veteran reporter Ray Gatt expressed bewilderment that Nishan Velupillay was chosen ahead of Boyle. Others, however, believe Volpato brings more quality. One supporter wrote, "Like it or not, Volpato improves this team."
Squad Overview
Alongside Volpato, uncapped striker Tete Yengi has been rewarded for a stellar season in Japan. The four players cut from the preliminary squad are Boyle, Brandon Borello, Joe Gauci, and Kye Rowles. Popovic acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions, saying, "Some difficult decisions had to be made – that’s the nature of major tournaments." The squad will now prepare for a friendly against Switzerland before their World Cup group matches.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan (c), Paul Izzo, Patrick Beach
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin
Midfielders: Cameron Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler
Forwards: Nestory Irankunda, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato, Tete Yengi
The Socceroos will face Mexico in a friendly before heading to the World Cup, where they hope to replicate their surprise run to the Round of 16 in 2022.
