Socceroos World – Australia’s World Cup squad has been trimmed to 26 players under coach Tony Popovic, with Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi earning World Cup debuts—after Volpato’s last-minute switch from Italy. But the selection brings heartbreak for Martin Boyle, Kye Rowles,
Cristian Volpato’s last-ditch switch from Italy to Australia has paid off quickly—right down to the timing. The Sassuolo playmaker has been named in coach Tony Popovic’s 26-man Socceroos World Cup squad even before he has made his first appearance for Australia.
It’s a moment of joy for two debutants: Volpato and 25-year-old uncapped striker Tete Yengi. But for four familiar faces, the World Cup dream ends with the squad announcement. Veteran Martin Boyle, defender Kye Rowles, forward Brandon Borrello and goalkeeper Joe Gauci were all cut by Popovic.
“A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad,” Popovic said in a statement. “Some difficult decisions had to be made – that’s the nature of major tournaments.”
Volpato headlines the new arrivals after arriving in camp on Saturday morning (local time). He only had time to watch from the sidelines as Australia went down 1-0 to Mexico that night—too late to feature.
The dramatic nature of his switch makes the selection feel even sharper. Volpato had knocked back Graham Arnold’s pitch to join Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad. In March, he said he was waiting for a call-up from Italy’s senior team before changing his mind.
Yengi’s selection carries its own kind of inevitability and surprise. He was named in the squad despite not playing against Mexico. The 25-year-old will join the World Cup group as Australia looks to build around new faces alongside experienced leadership.
Skipper Mat Ryan and veteran Mathew Leckie will be making a fourth World Cup appearance. Defender Harry Souttar and Leckie also make the squad after returning to the Socceroos for the first time since their 2024 appearances against Mexico.
For Rowles and Boyle, the cut lands with extra cruelty. Rowles—an Australia starter in 2022—misses out this time. Boyle’s story is heartbreak wrapped in timing: injured ahead of Qatar, and again falling short of reaching a World Cup.
Australia’s final World Cup squad features 17 players selected for their first World Cup. That list includes 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington.
The Socceroos begin their final preparation with a friendly against Switzerland in San Diego on Saturday. Then the group schedule starts quickly: they face Turkey, the United States and Paraguay.
The squad is:
Patrick Beach (GK)*. Aziz Behich. Jordan Bos*. Cameron Burgess*. Alessandro Circati*. Milos Degenek. Cameron Devlin. 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*. Mat Ryan (GK). Harry Souttar. Mohamed Toure*. Kai Trewin*. Nishan Velupillay*. Cristian Volpato*. Tete Yengi*.
*(First World Cup selection.)
Socceroos World Cup squad Tony Popovic Cristian Volpato Tete Yengi Mat Ryan Mathew Leckie Martin Boyle Kye Rowles Brandon Borrello Joe Gauci Turkey United States Paraguay Switzerland friendly Lucas Herrington