Socceroo cap #653 belongs to Jacob Italiano after the Grazer AK defender made his full international debut in Australia’s 1-0 friendly defeat of Canada overnight. The 24-year old played the opening 57 minutes against the 2026 World Cup co-hosts, starting alongside fellow West Australians Alessandro Circati and Cameron Burgess in Montreal.
“It’s every footballers dream to be able to make their debut,” Italiano said soon after being called up to replace Fran Karacic. “This is obviously the first step, being called into a camp. It’s something I’ve been working for for a very long time now and to finally reach this goal gives me a chance at the next one, which is really exciting.”
“It’s good to know that my name is being talked about, I’m there, I’m close, I’m pushing against the door and finally its opened. I have the opportunity now to put my best foot forward, show what I’m capable of and try and get the respect of the boss and the staff and the players – that’s my main goal. And the World Cup is something that I’m really working towards.”
Italiano started his football journey with Inglewood United, representing West Australia at junior level and earning himself a place in the Centre of Excellence in Canberra. When that program closed, he joined Perth Glory on a scholarship deal and in December 2017 became the A-League’s fifth youngest debutant when – aged 16 years and 112 days old – he started against Melbourne Victory.
The following month Italiano signed a professional deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach, who agreed to loan the attacking midfielder back to Glory. It was with 19 A-League appearances across two seasons and an Premiers medal to his credit that Italiano packed his bags for Germany in mid-2019.
Italiano quickly became an established part of first eleven at Borussia Monchengladbach II, playing over 100 games for the clubs reserve team. While with the Regionalliga West side he transitioned from midfield to right back. In June 2024 Italiano signed a three-year deal with newly promoted Austrian club Grazer.