SYDNEY, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Football Australia on Monday announced the Socceroos' final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring 17 potential World Cup debutants and two uncapped players.

Included in the squad is Italy-based attacking playmaker Cristian Volpato, who has switched his international allegiance from Italy to Australia and is set to make his senior international debut at the World Cup.

Volpato, 22, who was born in Australia but represented Italy at youth international level, will be joined in the squad by uncapped striker Tete Yengi, who plays his club football in Japan.

They are among 17 of Australia's players who have been selected for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

The team will be led at the World Cup by goalkeeper Mat Ryan and winger Mathew Leckie, who will become the third and fourth Socceroos to play at four World Cups.

"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," head coach Tony Popovic said in a statement.

The squad was finalized after the Socceroos were beaten 1-0 by Mexico in a pre-tournament friendly in Los Angeles on Saturday local time.

Australia will play a final warm-up friendly against Switzerland before facing Türkiye, the United States and Paraguay in Group D at the World Cup. ■