Australia’s World Cup player Volpato faces high speed, cocaine charges | Sports News

Cristian Volpato, who left Italy for Australia before the 2026 World Cup, failed a drug test in Sydney.

Cristian Volpato, who represented Australia at the World Cup, tested positive for cocaine and was also charged with speeding, New South Wales police said.

They said Volpato, 22, who left Italy for Australia ahead of the World Cup, was allegedly speeding at 50km (30 miles) per hour over the posted speed limit when police stopped him on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge early on Friday.

He was given a roadside drug test that returned a positive result for cocaine, police said in a statement.

Volpato made three appearances for the Socceroos at the recent World Cup.

The player represented Italy at the youth level but did not appear at the senior level.

He started his youth career with Sydney United, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Volpato’s big break came when Roma signed him in 2020. He moved to Sassuolo in 2023, where he established himself as a Serie A player.

His last appearance for Italy came under 21 in 2025. Volpato had already been linked with a switch to Australia ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.