In brief
- Socceroos players Nestory Irankunda, 20, and Mohamed Touré, 22, migrated to Australia as refugees from Africa.
- They are among six players of African descent, reflecting Australia’s cultural diversity.
Two decades after the Socceroos’ “Golden Generation” captured the hearts of Australians, the spotlight is now on two remarkable talents who may soon become the new faces of Australia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 pursuit. These rising stars, Nestory Irankunda and Mohamed Touré, both have compelling stories that extend beyond the football pitch.
Nestory Irankunda, aged 20, and Mohamed Touré, 22, represent the vibrant future of Australian soccer. Both athletes, having journeyed to Australia as refugees—Irankunda from Tanzania and Touré from Guinea—are making waves in the soccer world. They honed their skills at Adelaide United before taking their talents to England’s Championship, showcasing their potential on an international stage.
In a time when anti-migrant rhetoric is alarmingly on the rise, these young athletes stand as a testament to the multicultural fabric of Australia. Their journey and success story, alongside their teammates, echo the diversity of the Socceroos’ current 26-man squad, which includes players from at least 15 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This diversity reflects a modern Australia, where nearly a third of the population is born overseas, highlighting the positive impact of migration on the nation.
Touré, known for his impressive physical prowess and speed, is set to take on a pivotal role as lead striker. His recent performance has been nothing short of impressive, with a standout 2025-26 season at Championship club Norwich City, where he netted nine goals in just 11 matches.
Touré, known for his physical strength and pace, will assume the role of lead striker after enjoying a breakout 2025-26 campaign with Championship side Norwich City, scoring nine goals in 11 matches.
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Touré was born in a refugee camp in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, where his parents spent 14 years after fleeing war in Liberia, before migrating to Australia when he was seven months old.
The pair, as well as teammate Awer Mabil, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to South Sudanese parents and also played for Adelaide United, are part of the UNHCR’s “Gamechanging Team”, a symbolic line-up of players with a refugee or displacement background.
For Touré, wearing the Socceroos’ jersey represents freedom.
“[Australia] was the land that gave us opportunity, that lent us a helping hand,” he said.
“I never imagined my career trajectory to take me to a World Cup and play for Norwich as a refugee.”
Irankunda said it was hard to believe young black men could become the face of football in Australia, a country where sport is deeply woven into the national identity.
“It’s crazy, because who would have thought?” he told the Australian Associated Press.
“Now that it’s happening, everybody’s like: ‘wow’. But I never thought it would be possible, maybe one day, but not this early.”
A successful tournament will almost certainly catapult the pair to national stardom, following in the footsteps of Golden Generation players such as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Irankunda’s personal hero, Tim Cahill.
“For me, one of my people that I looked up to, I don’t know if people count him as a black person, but I’d say Tim Cahill,” Irankunda said.
“He was coloured [of Samoan background], so of course I looked up to him, and just the way he played.
“To this day, I’ve never met him, but that’s one of my biggest dreams, to meet him and have a conversation with him, because what a player, top player.”
Irankunda was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania to Burundian parents before settling in Australia as a baby.
He is one of six Socceroos of African heritage, alongside Touré (Guinea and Liberia), Lucas Herrington (Zimbabwe), Jason Geria (Uganda), and Awer Mabil and Tete Yengi (both South Sudan).
“It’s crazy to have us all here together from African backgrounds,” Irankunda said.
“It’s great, and it’s great for the African community.”
Known for his blistering pace, explosive long-range strikes and trademark back-flip celebration, Irankunda has emerged as one of Australian football’s brightest prospects.
In 2024, he joined German giants Bayern Munich from Adelaide United for a record A-League transfer fee reportedly worth $5.5 million.
Chasing regular game-time, he joined English Championship side Watford last year, scoring four goals in his debut season.
Coach Tony Popovic faces a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s opening group match against Türkiye (2pm Sunday AEST), weighing whether to start Irankunda or unleash him from the bench as an impact player.
The winger is a far more complete player than the 16-year-old who burst onto the scene, a transformation he credits in part to Popovic.
Popovic selected Irankunda in his first camp in charge in November 2024, then didn’t pick him again for nine months.
Since returning to the fold last August, Irankunda has been a fixture and has worked tirelessly with Popovic on the defensive side of his game.
“He’s made me work for it. He’s made me earn it,” Irankunda said.
“He does so much for me that people don’t even know of.
“He’s made me want to run more, defend for the team. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still be a lazy player.”
Ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match, the Socceroos released a video where each spoke of where they were born, painting a picture of an incredibly multicultural team.
“No matter where you come from, football is for everyone,” each Socceroo said one by one.
— With additional reporting by Australian Associated Press.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.