Italy repechage to the World Cup: the'former Azzurro will be there, the final choice has arrived

Former Azzurro Cristian Volpato will participate in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada despite Italy’s elimination. In fact, the Sassuolo forward has decided to change sports national team and wear the jersey of Australia ahead of the rainbow review that kicks off in a few days.

Volpato, a former player of the Italian Under-21 team, four years ago had refused the call of the Melbourne Federation for the 2022 World Cup, but this time he decided to say yes. The 2003-born Sydney native will leave for the Socceroos’ training camp in Los Angeles, pending the final roster announcement by Monday.

The 22-year-old forward is eligible to change sporting nationality under FIFA rules, having never played an official match with the Italian senior national team. The FIGC has sent a letter of authorization to Australia, which has placed the player on the prelist for the World Cup. Australia has been drawn in Group D of the World Cup and will play against Turkey, the United States and Paraguay.

In the meantime, on the Italy front, the debate about the Azzurri’s possible repechage to the World Cup still remains open – albeit in an increasingly feeble way. Hopes are linked to the possible forfeit of Iran or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the latter struggling with health restrictions related to the Ebola virus outbreak. However, Sports and Youth Minister Andrea Abodi has already quashed any enthusiasm, declaring that a repechage “would be neither possible nor appropriate.” “A national team like ours must qualify on the field,” the minister stressed.