Less than two years ago, Alessandro Circati was lying on a pitch with a torn ACL, staring at the kind of injury that can quietly end careers before they truly begin. Now he’s preparing to start for Australia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Circati, a 22-year-old central defender who plays his club football at Serie A side Parma, has been named in Australia’s final 26-man squad for the tournament. He’s expected to anchor a three-man defensive setup.
From Perth to Parma to the world stage
Born on October 10, 2003, in Fidenza, Italy, he moved to Perth, Australia, when he was just one year old. His football education started in local junior leagues and eventually led to the Perth Glory academy, where he developed enough to catch the attention of European scouts.
He joined Parma in 2022. During the 2025/26 Serie A season, he became a regular starter for Parma, logging over 30 appearances as the club finished comfortably in mid-table.
