Cristian Volpato’s recent commitment to the Socceroos is proving to be a pivotal move for Australian football. The young midfielder’s decision to switch from Italy to Australia, made only weeks before the World Cup in late May, has been a game-changer.
The 22-year-old had previously maintained hopes of one day joining the ranks of Italy’s top-tier national team, the Azzurri. However, the persistence of Football Australia, which included a dedicated visit to Italy by Socceroos coach Tony Popovic and assistant coach Paul Okon in March, ultimately influenced Volpato’s choice.
Reflecting on his decision, Volpato expressed some regret that he didn’t make the switch sooner. “In the first game, when we were singing the national anthem, I was getting goosebumps,” he shared last week. His heartfelt sentiment highlights the emotional connection he now feels with the Australian team.
As the Socceroos continue to reap the rewards of Volpato’s talent and enthusiasm, it’s clear this late change in allegiance holds great promise for the future of the team. His poignant admission and enthusiastic performances offer a promising outlook for his international career with Australia.
“In the first game, when we were singing the national anthem, I was getting goosebumps,” he said last week.
“If I knew about this, I would have come a long time ago. So it was really good.”
Volpato grew up in Sydney but is of Italian descent. He also played for Italy at the youth level.
The winger made his World Cup debut just after the hour mark in Australia’s 2-0 defeat to the USA, immediately injecting energy into an otherwise flat performance.
That cameo earned him a spot in the starting XI against Paraguay, where he played up front alongside Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda.
He described starting for the Socceroos for the first time as “amazing”.
“It was amazing, starting the game with a full crowd, you could only see yellow jerseys,” he said after the match, grinning.
But it was his combination with Jordy Bos, who filled in at right-back for the injured Jacob Italiano, that gave Australia its greatest attacking threat.
In his 58 minutes on the pitch, Volpato was exciting, linking up with Bos several times, breaking into little pockets and causing constant problems for Paraguay’s defence.
In the fourth minute, Bos found Volpato who cut back to midfielder Jackson Irvine to force a save from Orlando Gill at his near post.
Volpato went on a wonderful run into the box in the 12th and arguably could have gone down under contact, while he teed up Bos for a shot that was saved in the 36th.
In first-half added time, Bos found Volpato on the overlap, and the winger cut onto his left and forced a save.
Bos described linking up with Volpato as “enjoyable”.
“He’s got a lot of quality, so it’s really easy to play with a player like that,” he said in a post-match interview.
Volpato’s performance was noted by former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire.
“We’ve seen early on most of our attacking threat is coming down the right side, through Jordan Bos and Volpato,” he said on SBS.
“The one thing I love about Volpato, he’s brave and looks to create, wants to make an impact on the game.”
Okon similarly praised him at the halftime break for continually picking up balls off the opposition.
‘I’m Italian and I’m Australian’
As an 18-year-old at Italian top-flight club Roma, Volpato knocked back then coach Graham Arnold’s pitch to join Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad.
In March, he said he was waiting for a call-up from Italy’s senior team — which that month failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row — before his change of heart.
“I’m Italian and I’m Australian, so it’s actually been a big decision that’s always been on my head 24/7 for quite a while,” Volpato said.
“It’s really hard, because it’s like people want you to choose something, one or the other.
“But at the end of the day, a lot of Australians were brought up being both, being something else and Australian and obviously you don’t want to choose one or the other.
“But it’s been hard and, obviously, I do feel Australian, so it felt really good coming in, being brought in by the boys, and speaking English — Aussie.”
Volpato spent a long time talking with Popovic, who made it clear he wouldn’t “beg” him to declare for Australia, and close friend Alessandro Circati — the Socceroos defender plays in Italy with Parma — about his decision.
Popovic reiterated that stance after the Paraguay match.
“Every player is important, no one is entitled to a shirt, and each game is different,” he said.
Regardless, Volpato has already shown he can become a major weapon for the Socceroos.
— With additional reporting by Australian Associated Press.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.