Cristian Volpato Selected in Australia's World Cup Squad Just Days After Switch of Allegiance
Popovic kept 17 World Cup first-timers in the 26-man squad, while Boyle, Rowles, Borrello and Gauci were left out.
- Australia head coach Tony Popovic named his final 26-man Socceroos squad on Sunday, confirming the omission of veteran forward Martin Boyle and three other players from the initial 30-man training group.
- Prioritizing new talent, Popovic selected uncapped players Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi, leaving Boyle to miss out after he hoped for his first on-field World Cup action this year.
- "Some difficult decisions had to be made – that's the nature of major tournaments," Popovic said, as the squad features 17 debutants while excluding defender Kye Rowles despite starting all four matches at the previous World Cup.
- The Socceroos face Switzerland in a friendly this Saturday before opening their campaign in Group D against Turkey, the United States, and Paraguay.
- Captain Mat Ryan and veteran Mathew Leckie will equal the Australian record by appearing at their fourth World Cup, anchoring the squad's blend of experience and youth.
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47 Articles
Australia coach says ‘fearless’ Socceroos ready for World Cup
Australia coach Tony Popovic said his young World Cup squad is better than the Socceroos’ 2022 line-up and should have high expectations heading into the tournament in North America. Popovic’s 26-man squad features 17 World Cup debutants, including two uncapped players in Japan-based striker Tete Yengi, 25, and 22-year-old attacker Cristian Volpato, who only switched allegiance from Italy to Australia in recent days. There are 11 players who hav…
Associated Press News
Cristian Volpato selected in Australia's World Cup squad just days after switch of allegiance
Cristian Volpato has been included in Australia's World Cup squad just days after switching his national eligibility from Italy.
Channel News Asia
The Straits TimesUncapped Volpato, Yengi named in Australia's World Cup squad
MELBOURNE, May 31 : Former Italy under-20 international Cristian Volpato's last-minute decision to switch allegiance to Australia has paid off with inclusion in Tony Popovic's World Cup squad.The Italy-based playmaker, who turned down a chance to play for Australia at the 2022 World Cup, is one of two uncappe
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