Pasadena: Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has described Cristian Volpato’s pending call-up for the World Cup as a risk-free decision, as defender Harry Souttar said his teammates were looking forward to finally meeting a player who the country has been trying to secure for years.
Volpato’s switch of allegiance from Italy to Australia has been officially approved by FIFA, paving the way for the 22-year-old to be named in Popovic’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, in what would be arguably the biggest selection curveball in the national team’s history.
Due to arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday (local time), Popovic has flagged the possibility Volpato, an attacking midfielder who plays for Sassuolo in Italy’s Serie A, could make his debut in the Socceroos’ friendly against Mexico at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Sunday – although, that would appear unlikely.
Born and raised in Sydney, Volpato turned down the chance to play for Graham Arnold’s Socceroos at the last World Cup in 2022, and in March said he was “waiting for Italy” – after being paid a visit by Popovic and his assistant coach Paul Okon.
But it appears that, after missing out on Italy’s latest squad for upcoming matches against Luxembourg and Greece – who, like the Azzurri, also failed to qualify for the World Cup – Volpato has decided he is done with waiting, and ready to wear the green and gold. He has even added @Socceroos to his profile description on Instagram, posting a photo in front of the departures sign at Sydney Airport as he prepares to link with the team.
In his first public comments since it emerged Volpato would be joining the Socceroos in the United States, Popovic was reluctant to delve into the details of “who called who, when” – but he said the process was sparked by the player’s decision to represent Australia over Italy, and was unrelated to the hamstring injury which ruled Riley McGree out of World Cup contention.
“I’ve already spoken many times about the conversations we had and where it was left back in February. What’s changed? The player wants to play for Australia. That’s what’s happened,” Popovic said.
“We didn’t chase him up or [ask] ‘Have you changed your mind? Can you come to the World Cup?’ We’ve always appreciated him as a footballer. That hasn’t changed, but I have to always respect the player’s decision. And I’ve always done that.
“And once he made a decision that he wants to represent Australia, well, now there’s a decision that we have to make. Do we go through the process? How quick can that process be? Is it worth doing now? Putting everything together, we’ve come to the conclusion that we’ll take that process further. Fortunately, that’s all been ticked off. He’s actually eligible to play tomorrow, which he may. He may sit on the bench and come on.”
Volpato spent time in the academies of Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers in his teenage years but left to take up a youth deal with AS Roma. He made his senior debut in Serie A under Jose Mourinho in late 2021 – instantly thrusting the question of his international allegiance into the Australian soccer spotlight.
Until now, Volpato has been infamously non-committal whenever asked about which nation he would choose to represent. He even earned the ire of some Socceroos fans when he posted a Snapchat story that appeared to be critical of the team’s performance when they failed to secure direct qualification for the last World Cup.
Now, barring an unlikely change of heart from Popovic, he will go straight into a World Cup squad, immediately bolstering Australia’s attacking options and helping to account for the loss of McGree. Popovic has to submit his final 26-man roster to FIFA by Monday (local time), and there would appear to be no reason to bring Volpato in so late if he wasn’t going to be named.
Asked to weigh up the risk versus reward of bringing Volpato into camp, Popovic denied there was any risk. “When you have a talented player, I’m not sure what the risk is,” he said.
“Yeah, we probably would have liked him to come in two or three days earlier, but he did play on the weekend. So the earliest he could have arrived was probably on Tuesday. What are we talking four days, maybe earlier? Would I have liked him to come four days earlier? I’d say yes, but the process was still happening.
“I wanted a bit more clarity that this can actually go through in time that he’s eligible for the World Cup. That was my priority … I was willing to wait as long as I could. So that, for me, was the only risk.”
Souttar, meanwhile, suggested there will not be any bad blood between established Socceroos and Volpato, and he will be welcomed into the environment with open arms – even though he will be taking someone else’s spot.
“From what I’ve seen, he’s a very good player and he’s going to be here on merit,” he said.
“Myself included, a lot of players in [our] team that have represented other countries from different age groups. Obviously, he’s made a decision … all the lads are really looking forward to meeting him, getting him into camp, getting him training, get him playing. He’s going to make us a better team, simple as that.”
More than 75,000 tickets have been sold for the Mexico clash, making it a perfect dress rehearsal for Australia’s Group D showdown with co-hosts the United States on June 19 in Seattle.
“This stadium is so special, and the fans and the opponent will make it feel so real,” Popovic said.
“It will really feel like we’re here for the World Cup now. We’re honoured to be here and we want to show how good we are.”
Australia open their tournament against Turkey on June 14 at the BC Place in Vancouver.
