Cristian Volpato, currently playing for US Sassuolo Calcio, has pledged his international future to the Australian national team, the Football Federation Australia announced on Friday. The 20-year-old will join the Socceroos squad in Los Angeles for a pre-camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Volpato was born in Sydney and developed through several youth clubs in his hometown before joining AS Roma in 2020. He has previously represented Italy at youth levels, but has now opted to represent Australia’s senior team, which will participate in the 2026 World Cup, a tournament Italy failed to qualify for. This decision represents a significant boost for the Australian squad as they prepare for the expanded 48-team tournament.
Volpato has seen limited first-team action for Sassuolo in Serie A this past season, making 18 appearances and scoring one goal. He has primarily featured as a winger, known for his pace and dribbling ability. Prior to his move to Italy, Volpato progressed through the Roma youth system, making several appearances for the first team and demonstrating promising potential.
The Australian national team is currently preparing for their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, and the addition of Volpato adds another attacking option for coach Graham Arnold. The decision by Volpato to switch allegiance could prove crucial as Australia looks to build a competitive squad for the tournament. This move signals a commitment to attracting players with Australian heritage to strengthen the national team’s prospects.
