Cristian Volpato's dramatic last-ditch switch from Italy to Australia is set to be rewarded with a World Cup berth before the winger even makes his Socceroos debut.
But Volpato's joy will come amid heartbreak for four other players as coach Tony Popovic cuts his squad from 30 players to 26 at Australia's Bay Area base on Monday (AEST).
That squad will play next week's friendly against Switzerland, then group games against Turkey, the United States and Paraguay.
That group is expected to include Sassuolo winger Volpato, who 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.
The Sydney-born and raised 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.
