Cristian Volpato, a former Italy Under-21 international, is switching his international allegiance to Australia ahead of the Socceroos’ 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations. Multiple reports say the move takes place shortly before Australia announces its squad for the tournament, with Volpato moving from representing Italy at youth level to becoming available for selection by Australia at senior international level. BBC Sport and ABC Australia both describe the switch as a late boost for the Socceroos, highlighting that Volpato is a young midfielder. The coverage focuses on the timing of the decision and its potential impact on Australia’s World Cup squad planning. While the reports do not detail contract terms or immediate match availability, they agree on the core points: Volpato previously played for Italy’s Under-21 team, he is now aligned with Australia, and the change is announced in the lead-up to the World Cup squad selection process.