The Italy-based playmaker, who turned down a chance to play for Australia at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is one of two uncapped players in the squad, along with Japan-based striker Tete Yengi, who was a surprise call-up to the team's pre-tournament camp in Florida.

Volpato only joined the squad early at the weekend, a day after his decision to ditch Italy was confirmed by Football Australia.

Italy, a world champion four times and most recently in 2006, failed to qualify for the finals for the third straight edition.

Yengi, the younger brother of fellow Australia forward Kusini Yengi, was selected after missing the 1-0 friendly loss to 2026 FIFA World Cup co-host Mexico at The Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Volpato, 22, was born in the inner city Sydney suburb of Camperdown but is a dual citizen of Australia and Italy.

Having played for Italy's junior national teams since 2022, Volpato changed his national eligibility to Australia on Friday, according to reports.

Per FIFA rules, the switch is legal because Volpato has never played a competitive match for Italy's senior team.

Socceroos coach Tony Popovic and assistant Paul Okon visited Volpato's club team Sassulo in February to discuss the possibility of Volpato representing Australia at the FIFA World Cup.

"There were no ultimatums or any pressure. It was a discussion," Popovic told reporters after the meeting.

"And if he wants to play for Australia, whether it's three months, six months, a year; they're young men, you have to respect the decisions they have to make.

"He's a quality young player who has a lot of potential. He hasn't played a lot of football. But he has potential, and now that he's indicated he's open to the idea, the rest is just for him to decide."

Popovic had telegraphed the core of his squad from his selections at the Sarasota camp but had a few hard choices to make after the Mexico defeat.

He ultimately decided on Patrick Beach as his third goalkeeper at the expense of Joe Gauci, with captain Mat Ryan to start in the Socceroos goal and Paul Izzo to deputise.

Yengi's inclusion meant no place for forward Brandon Borrello, while winger Martin Boyle was also cut four years after an injury ruined his hopes of playing at Qatar 2022.

Defender Kye Rowles also missed out on the 26-man squad.

"Some difficult decisions had to be made – that’s the nature of major tournaments," Popovic said.

"But it’s also a credit to all the players involved over the past few weeks who worked extremely hard during an extended and challenging pre-camp."

The squad includes 17 FIFA World Cup debutants, including 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington and 21-year-old Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler who was rewarded for good form in the A-League.

Central defender Harry Souttar and winger Mathew Leckie, Australia's heroes at Qatar 2022 where it reached the knockout stages, have been included after coming back from long battles with injury.

Melbourne Victory's Nishan Velupillay and Castelon's Awer Mabil join Watford's Nestory Irankunda and Norwich City striker Mohamed Toure in Popovic's forward set-up.

Australia squad:

Patrick Beach, 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, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar, Mohamed Toure, Kai Trewin, Nishan Velupillay, Cristian Volpato, Tete Yengi.