Cristian Volpato’s dramatic last-minute decision to switch his international allegiance from Italy to Australia has been rewarded with a place in the Socceroos’ World Cup squad, even before the attacker has made his debut for the national team.
The 22-year-old Sassuolo playmaker headlines Australia’s 26-man squad alongside 25-year-old uncapped striker Tete Yengi. Captain Mat Ryan and veteran Mathew Leckie will head to their fourth World Cup, joining Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan in that exclusive group, while the squad features 17 players selected for their first major tournament.
Among the newcomers are 18-year-old centre-back Lucas Herrington, star defenders Alessandro Circati and Jordy Bos, and dynamic attackers Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure. However, there was heartbreak for veteran forward Martin Boyle, defender Kye Rowles, forward Brandon Borrello, and goalkeeper Joe Gauci, who were all cut from the final squad by coach Tony Popovic.
“A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad. Some difficult decisions had to be made — that’s the nature of major tournaments,” Popovic said in a statement. “But it’s also a credit to all the players involved over the past few weeks who worked extremely hard during an extended and challenging pre-camp. I’d like to acknowledge the players who contributed to our direct World Cup qualification but are not part of this squad. Their contribution should not be forgotten.”
The Socceroos will play their final warm-up game against Switzerland on June 6 (June 7 AEST) in San Diego. They then face Group D opponents Turkey in Vancouver on June 13 (June 14 AEST), the United States in Seattle six days later, and Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 25 (June 26 AEST).
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. Volpato had previously rejected Graham Arnold’s pitch to join Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad, and in March stated he was waiting for a call-up from Italy’s senior team, before his change of heart.
Yengi, younger brother of capped Socceroo Kusini Yengi, was selected despite not playing against Mexico, having impressed at Japanese club Machida Zelvia, on loan from Scottish outfit Livingston. Harry Souttar and Leckie were chosen after overcoming horror injury runs to make their first Socceroos appearances since 2024 in the Mexico friendly. Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine, and Milos Degenek reach their third World Cup.
Rowles, a starter in 2022, misses out, as does Boyle — who was injured ahead of Qatar and again falls agonisingly short of playing at a World Cup. Boyle still went to the World Cup last time out as the squad’s ‘vibes manager’. Gauci started ahead of Ryan early in Popovic’s tenure but fell out of favour. Five A-League Men players were selected: Patrick Beach, Behich, Leckie, Paul Okon-Engstler — son of Socceroos assistant Paul Okon — and Nishan Velupillay.
Popovic will address the media on Sunday evening (Monday morning AEST).
Socceroos’ World Cup squad
- Patrick Beach (GK)*
- Aziz Behich
- Jordan Bos*
- Cameron Burgess*
- Alessandro Circati*
- Milos Degenek
- Cameron Devlin
- Jason Geria*
- Lucas Herrington*
- Ajdin Hrustic
- Nestory Irankunda*
- Jackson Irvine
- Jacob Italiano*
- Paul Izzo (GK)*
- Mathew Leckie
- Awer Mabil
- Connor Metcalfe*
- Paul Okon-Engstler*
- Aiden O’Neill*
- Mat Ryan (GK)
- Harry Souttar
- Mohamed Toure*
- Kai Trewin*
- Nishan Velupillay*
- Cristian Volpato*
- Tete Yengi*
* First World Cup selection
