Australia's World Cup hopefuls get one final chance to impress before the Socceroos' squad for the 2026 World Cup is finalised against Mexico at the Rose Bowl.Follow all the action in our live blog.Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll4Key Events2Sun 31 May 2026 at 11:49amSun 31 May 2026 at 11:49amThe Mexico starting XI is inDone a bit of social media trawling to gague Mexican reaction to this team, and they aren't exactly loving it. They've shuffled the pack for this one, with a decent number of certain World Cup starters not in this starting XI.Still plenty for the Socceroos to be aware of, not least the big fella Guillermo Martinez up front. Him and Souttar going head to head is going to look like something out of State of Origin the other night.Sun 31 May 2026 at 11:40amSun 31 May 2026 at 11:40amThe Cristian Volpato conundrumBy Dean Bilton(Getty Images)The big news from the other day was Cristian Volpato's decision to switch national allegiances from Italy to Australia, right in the nick of time to be up for selection in our World Cup squad. Italy, it is worth pointing out, did not qualify for the World Cup.First of all, Volpato is an excellent player who would be an excellent on-pitch addition for the Socceroos, especially in light of the injury to Riley McGree. His quality is not a question.But what does this decision do for squad harmony, especially given Volpato's attitude towards Australia hasn't always been the most harmonious. How do the rest of the Socceroos feel about him? What about the 27th man, who could potentially miss out on a dream coming true? It's a man-management question more than it is a football one.We'll find out for sure when the squad is named tomorrow at 11.30am AEST. Volpato only joined the squad yesterday, and so is not featuring today.Read more below:Key EventSun 31 May 2026 at 11:20amSun 31 May 2026 at 11:20amThe Socceroos starting XI is inBy Dean BiltonTony Popovic goes near enough to full strength for this one.Harry Souttar makes his long awaited return to the centre of defence, and Mat Leckie gets a rare look at it too having propelled himself back into the international reckoning.Aiden O'Neill and Jackson Irvine, who has been passed fit after overcoming some injury issues late in the club season, make up the centre of defence and the red-hot Mo Toure starts up front after lighting up the Championship with Norwich since January.Nestory Irankunda starts on the bench, and there is no place in the squad yet for Cristian Volpato, who was parachuted into the squad at the last minute having switched allegiances from Italy to Australia. Expect him to get a run out against Switzerland in a few days.Key EventSun 31 May 2026 at 11:17amSun 31 May 2026 at 11:17amSocceroos tune up for World Cup against MexicoBy Dean BiltonGood morning, and welcome to ABC Sport's live blog coverage of Australia's pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico. With the tournament itself less than two weeks away(!), and with the Socceroos squad set to be finalised tomorrow(!!), this game against co-hosts Mexico shapes as vital.Tony Popovic will be hoping to see his key players looking sharp and his fringe men fighting for the final positions in the 26-man squad. He'll be hoping for a win, but will be searching for so much more today.It's a beautiful day at the iconic Rose Bowl. If World Cup fever hasn't fully infected you just yet, this might do the trick. Stick around, should be fun.