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Italy U21 Forward Cristian Volpato Switching Nationality to Australia Ahead of World Cup

On Friday, Football Australia announced that Sydney-born forward Cristian Volpato has switched national eligibility to Australia, joining the Socceroos' training camp in Los Angeles ahead of the World Cup.
Previously, the 22-year-old midfielder declined a spot in the 2022 World Cup squad under former coach Graham Arnold, despite representing Italy at youth levels and indicating a desire to represent the Azzuri just two months ago.
Football Australia confirmed it "received a release letter from the Italian Football Federation," a key requirement for FIFA to ratify the switch and finalize Volpato's transition.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic must finalize his 26-man World Cup squad by Monday following a friendly against Mexico on Sunday before 60,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Australia opens its World Cup campaign against Turkey on June 13 in Vancouver, plays the United States six days later in Seattle, and concludes Group D play against Paraguay on June 25 in San Francisco.

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