Cristian Volpato switches to Australia two weeks out

Cristian Volpato has chosen to represent Australia, joining Tony Popovic’s train-on squad and linking up with the Socceroos in Los Angeles ahead of their friendly against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. Australia has lodged the necessary paperwork to FIFA as the fina

Cristian Volpato’s World Cup story changed quickly—and at the most tense possible moment.

The Italy-based attacking midfielder is set to head to the United States to link up with the Socceroos just two weeks out from the World Cup. He has been added to Tony Popovic’s train-on squad and will join the pre-camp in Los Angeles ahead of the international against Mexico on Sunday morning (AEST). with the match scheduled to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. California.

For Australia, it’s a late arrival before the tournament becomes unavoidable reality. For Volpato, it’s a clear break from the path he had been pursuing in Italy. Born and raised in Sydney. he played his junior football at Sydney United 58. Sydney FC and Western Sydney before moving to Italy. He represented Italy at U19 and U20 level.

His club form since the move has offered a simple argument for his case: the 22-year-old has scored seven goals in his three seasons with Sassuolo after two seasons with fellow Serie A club Roma.

But the switch became the bigger headline. In March, Volpato said he was “waiting for Italy” to select him for the senior side—only for Italy to fail to qualify for the World Cup. Popovic, days later, said: “I wish him well,” regarding Volpato’s plans to defect.

On Friday. Football Australia (FA) confirmed it has lodged paperwork to FIFA and is awaiting a Change of Association Clearance from the world governing body to ratify the allegiance switch. FA said it has also received a release letter from the Italian Football Federation. Once cleared, Volpato will be eligible to represent Australia.

The Socceroos’ trip to the Rose Bowl comes with a brutally simple constraint: 30 players can’t fit into 26 World Cup spots. Australia left its pre-World Cup training camp in Sarasota. Florida. to begin its west coast sojourn. and the Mexico friendly is set to become Volpato’s—and everyone else’s—final audition before Popovic picks his Cup squad.

That squad will be submitted to FIFA on June 1.

Archie Thompson, one of Australia’s most recognisable footballers, knows how nerve-wracking these late windows can be. He told AAP: “Every little bit of what you’ve got can improve and maybe change his mind. Even putting on an Australian jersey for World Cup qualifiers. or even just friendlies are always nerve-wracking. because you want to be performing all the time. but this one just has a bit more carrot to it.”.

Thompson can relate to the pressure of trying to seize a spot. He was among those scrapping for a place under Guus Hiddink at the 2006 World Cup. but didn’t get a minute of game time behind the likes of Mark Viduka and John Aloisi. A knee injury scuppered his hopes in 2010, and in 2014 he was left out by Ange Postecoglou.

Asked about the way camps can shift perceptions, Thompson added: “I can definitely understand the position those players are in. There’s always twists and turns in whether he might see something that he didn’t see before in those camps. whether it might be football. maybe your mentality. because I know Popa’s very strong on that.”.

Even with Volpato’s addition, competition remains fierce across the squad. Jason Geria, Milos Degenek and Kai Trewin are among those jostling for defensive spots, while teenager Lucas Herrington is also in contention.

Forward Nishan Velupillay is described as contentious for some, but Thompson points to his record in the Socceroos shirt under Popovic when he previously led Melbourne Victory. “He’s very loyal to the players that haven’t let him down,” Thompson said.

Selection crunches are being shaped by injuries as well as form. Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Patrick Yazbek, Nicholas D’Agostino and Hayden Matthews are ruled out. Mitch Duke, Alex Robertson and Anthony Caceres were cut this week.

In goal, Mat Ryan is the clear No. 1 goalkeeper, with Paul Izzo looming as deputy. That leaves a potential split between Patrick Beach and Joe Gauci, with one of them appearing likely to miss out.

Aiden O’Neill’s fitness after an ankle injury could also influence whether Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin makes it.

Mathew Leckie’s late burst into contention is linked to his late-season A-League Men form, while Harry Souttar’s return to fitness adds another dimension to the selection picture.

Thompson summed up the difficulty of getting to the final 26: “Popa knows or has an idea about the core of what he wants and then obviously it’ll be the fringe players and whether they can mould into what he wants – and maybe there’s something that he’s missing. or at least a back-up. It’s always so difficult.”.

The train-on group Popovic is currently working with includes: Patrick Beach (GK). Aziz Behich. Brandon Borrello. Jordan Bos. Martin Boyle. Cameron Burgess. Alessandro Circati. Milos Degenek. Cameron Devlin. Joe Gauci (GK). Jason Geria. Lucas Herrington. Ajdin Hrustic. Nestory Irankunda. Jackson Irvine. Jacob Italiano. Paul Izzo (GK). Mathew Leckie. Awer Mabil. Connor Metcalfe. Paul Okon-Engstler. Aiden O’Neill. Kye Rowles. Mat Ryan (GK). Harry Souttar. Mohamed Toure. Kai Trewin. Nishan Velupillay. Cristian Volpato. Tete Yengi.

Now the focus moves to one thing that decides far more than names on a list: performance in the Mexico match, with the World Cup squad submission to FIFA due on June 1 and the final cut approaching fast.

Cristian Volpato Socceroos Tony Popovic World Cup squad Mexico friendly Rose Bowl Change of Association Clearance Football Australia FIFA Sassuolo Australia pre-camp Los Angeles Archie Thompson