Cristian Volpato’s dramatic last-ditch switch from Italy to Australia has been rewarded with selection for the World Cup before the attacker even makes his Socceroos debut.

Sassuolo playmaker Volpato, 22, headlines Australia’s 26-man squad along with 25-year-old uncapped striker Tete Yengi.

Skipper Mat Ryan and veteran Mathew Leckie head to a fourth World Cup, joining Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan in that rare group, while the squad features 17 players selected for their first.

Those include 18-year-old centre-back Lucas Herrington, star defenders Alessandro Circati and Jordy Bos and dynamic attackers Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Toure.

But it was heartbreak for veteran forward Martin Boyle, defender Kye Rowles, forward Brandon Borrello and goalkeeper Joe Gauci, who were cut by coach Tony Popovic.

“A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad. Some difficult decisions had to be made — that’s the nature of major tournaments,” Popovic said in a statement.

“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.

“I’d like to acknowledge the players who contributed to our direct World Cup qualification but are not part of this squad. Their contribution should not be forgotten.”

The Socceroos play their final warm-up game against Switzerland on June 6 (June 7 AEST) in San Diego.

They then face Group D opponents Turkey in Vancouver on June 13 (June 14 AEST), the United States in Seattle six days later then Paraguay in Santa Clara on June 25 (June 26 AEST).

Sassuolo winger Volpato, 22, only arrived in camp on Saturday morning (local time) — too late to feature in that night’s 1-0 loss to Mexico — after switching his allegiance.

Volpato knocked back Graham Arnold’s pitch to join Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad, then in March said he was waiting for a call-up from Italy’s senior team, before his change of heart.

Yengi, younger brother of capped Socceroo Kusini Yengi, was selected despite not playing against Mexico, having impressed at Japanese club Machida Zelvia, on loan from Scottish outfit Livingston.

Harry Souttar and Leckie were selected after overcoming horror injury runs to make their first Socceroos appearances since 2024 in the Mexico friendly.

Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine and Milos Degenek reach their third World Cup.

Rowles, a starter in 2022, misses out as does Boyle — who was injured ahead of Qatar and again falls agonisingly short of playing at a World Cup.

Boyle still went to the World Cup last time out as the squad’s ‘vibes manager’.

Gauci started ahead of Ryan early in Popovic’s tenure but fell out of favour.

Five A-League Men players were selected: Patrick Beach, Behich, Leckie, Paul Okon-Engstler — son of Socceroos assistant Paul Okon — and Nishan Velupillay.

Popovic will address the media on Sunday evening (Monday morning AEST).

Socceroos’ World Cup squad

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