Australia names youthful 26-man World Cup squad as Cristian Volpato switches allegiance from Italy

Australia will head to the 2026 World Cup in North America with a squad bursting with youthful enthusiasm and a surprise late addition, after coach Tony Popovic confirmed his final 26 players. The selection is headlined by Sassuolo playmaker Cristian Volpato, who only completed his switch of allegiance from Italy to Australia last week, and uncapped Japan-based striker Tete Yengi.

Volpato's dramatic switch

Born and raised in Sydney, the 22-year-old Volpato previously represented Italy at under-19 and under-20 level and turned down an approach from the Socceroos ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His change of heart came just days before the squad announcement, after receiving clearance from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and FIFA. Volpato joined the squad at their pre-tournament camp in Florida only on Saturday.

He is a very talented player, a young man of great quality. He is doing well in Serie A with Sassuolo. He can still improve a lot because he is young and has enormous room for growth.

A squad of debutants

Volpato is one of 17 players set to make their World Cup debut in the expanded 48-team tournament. The fresh-faced group includes 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington, 21-year-old Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler, and explosive Watford winger Nestory Irankunda. Parma defender Alessandro Circati, another former Italy youth international who opted for Australia in 2023, also makes the cut.

It should be a very exciting group for the Australian public.

Veteran spine

Experience comes from captain and goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, who is heading to his fourth World Cup after an excellent season with Levante in Spain's La Liga. Attacker Mathew Leckie of Melbourne City is also preparing for his fourth tournament. Central defender Harry Souttar and winger Awer Mabil, both heroes of the Qatar 2022 campaign, return after battling long-term injuries.

Tough group awaits

The Socceroos have been drawn in Group D alongside co-hosts the United States, a resurgent Turkey, and 2010 quarter-finalists Paraguay. Australia will open their campaign against Turkey on 14 June, face the United States on 20 June, and conclude the group stage against Paraguay on 26 June. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Hard decisions

Popovic admitted making difficult calls, cutting experienced players including goalkeeper Joe Gauci, forward Brandon Borrello, winger Martin Boyle, and defender Kye Rowles. Midfielder Riley McGree was already ruled out through injury. The coach praised the work of all players involved in the extended pre-tournament camp in Sarasota, Florida.

Some difficult decisions had to be made - that's the nature of major tournaments. 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.

Midfield steel and attacking questions

St Pauli duo Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe provide Bundesliga-proven midfield steel, while Ajdin Hrustic, born in Australia to a Bosnian father and Romanian mother, adds creative depth. Up front, 22-year-old Mohamed Toure of Norwich and Nestory Irankunda carry the hopes of a nation that has lacked a prolific target man since Tim Cahill's prime. Veteran midfielder Jackson Irvine insists the squad believes it can surpass any previous Socceroos achievement.

We're not hoping, we are really believing that we can go further than any Socceroos team ever before.