A World Cup star is embroiled in a serious scandal involving banned substances.

One of the standout figures for the Australian squad at the 2026 World Cup has suddenly found himself in the spotlight after a street incident in Sydney.

Australian midfielder Cristian Volpato was pulled over by police around 1:10 a.m. on Friday on the Anzac Bridge, west of central Sydney. The 22-year-old player is accused of driving a BMW Coupe at 109 km/h in a zone where the maximum speed limit is 60 km/h.

During the stop, New South Wales police conducted a roadside drug test. The results indicated that Volpato tested positive for the banned substance cocaine.

A second oral sample was subsequently taken and sent for in-depth analysis. This procedure is intended to confirm the initial result and rule out any potential errors in the rapid test process.

The Football Federation Australia has been contacted by the media for a response. The incident could have a significant impact on Volpato's image and future with the national team, especially if the second test confirms the initial result.

The scandal broke not long after Volpato became one of the notable discoveries of the Australian team at the 2026 World Cup. He played in three matches and was an important attacking option for the Socceroos.

The team from Down Under advanced past the group stage in second place before being eliminated by Egypt in the round of 32. Volpato is regarded as one of the young players who could play a key role in the national team's long-term plans.

Volpato was born and raised in Australia. He later moved to Italy, joining Roma before transferring to Sassuolo. The 2003-born player previously represented Italy's U19 and U20 teams. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Volpato decided to switch his international allegiance to Australia.