Why Cristian Volpato is playing for Australia, not Italy

Why Cristian Volpato is playing for Australia, not Italy originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Cristian Volpato, as it turns out, had only one chance to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He came up through the ranks of the Italy youth system, but the Italians didn’t qualify for this tournament. Volpato also could play for Australia, though, and he chose to join the Socceroos just two weeks before the tournament kicked off.

It’s a major decision, because Volpato can’t switch back.

When Australia opens its tournament against Turkiye, it’ll be a chance for Volpato to begin validating himself.

Still, it’s fascinating that he showed up so late to this party and now could have a key role.

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Why did Cristian Volpato switch from Italy to Australia?

Volpato credited “something in (his) heart” for leading to the switch, according to ESPN’s Joey Lynch.

He also acknowledged that the chance to actually play at the World Cup mattered.

“Obviously, playing in a World Cup for your nation is something unreal,” Volpato said, via ESPN. “Playing for Italy was also good and amazing. But I think, when I was 18, maybe I was a bit too young, and maybe I was a bit too scared to make the change straight away. So maybe I was in my comfort zone a bit, playing for Italy. Really, something, I don’t know, in my heart just said I think it’s time to come home.”

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Volpato was raised in Sydney, but he began playing for Italy at the junior level in 2022.

He has played for multiple club teams in Italy, including Roma and Sassuolo.

The last Italian roster call-ups before the World Cup (which admittedly weren’t tune-up matches for them) didn’t include Volpato.

Now, he plays for the Socceroos, and he’ll try to make it work at the World Cup.

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