Refugee who quit Bayern to create Aussie World Cup dream

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Irankunda pays tribute to Cahill after scoring Australia's first goal

Published 8 hours ago

Nestory Irankunda may have etched his name into Australian football history, but he is a player already crafting his own remarkable narrative.

The 20-year-old Watford forward became the youngest player to score in a World Cup for the Socceroos when he found the net in their 2-0 victory over Turkey in Vancouver.

"It feels surreal and like a dream come true," Irankunda said shortly after the final whistle.

Yet it is merely the newest chapter in an extraordinary journey for the former refugee who, just one year ago, was learning from Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.

Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp in 2006 to Burundian parents, who had escaped their home country due to civil war.

He was still a young child when they relocated to the nation he now represents on the global stage of football.

Irankunda discovered football in Australia and progressed through the ranks at Adelaide United in the A-League.

After contributing 16 goals and eight assists for the senior team, a high-profile transfer to Bayern followed in 2024.

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Australia shocks Turkey in World Cup opener

Courageous choice to leave Bayern

He never made a first-team appearance in Germany, but he spent considerable time on the training field with some of the world's elite players, including England striker Kane.

Yet those limited minutes jeopardized his ambition. That goal was to represent Australia at this World Cup.

He made his debut in a World Cup qualifier in June 2024 against Bangladesh and became the second-youngest scorer in the nation's history when he netted against Palestine in just his second outing.

Following a loan stint at Swiss side Grasshopper last season, he faced a tough choice in the summer.

It was not an easy decision when the opportunity arose to move to Watford for an undisclosed fee and leave the Bundesliga giants, but he required playing time to secure his World Cup spot, having been dropped from the Australia squad.

"It was a difficult decision, but my biggest aim is to play at the World Cup," Irankunda told Sky Sports last summer, external .

"The 2026 World Cup is approaching, and I need to get minutes; I wasn't getting minutes.

"It has always been a dream of mine to play in England."

He has been nicknamed 'Houdini' by teammate Mohamed Toure, who believes Irankunda could have a similar impact on Australia as Jude Bellingham has on England.

"I've seen many good players, but sometimes you encounter a special talent, and he is that," Toure added. "If he puts in the effort and stays humble, I think he'll exceed the potential many already attribute to him. He'll go beyond that."

Irankunda replicated Tim Cahill's famous celebration with the corner flag

Irankunda makes history as impressive Australia beats Turkey

'Your entire world can shift'

He played 42 games for Championship side Watford, scoring four goals and providing five assists, securing his place in the World Cup squad.

Now he has made history for his country, and in impressive fashion. His finish was exceptional after he showcased speed and strength to create the opportunity in the 27th minute against Turkey.

"It doesn't matter what level of football you play—whether in the park or at a World Cup—that is incredible speed," former Australia and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou told ITV.

This made him the first player born outside Australia to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos.

He has previously imitated Michael Jackson while celebrating goals, even wearing a white glove in March when he scored against Curacao.

This time, he chose to emulate former Australia and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill by punching the corner flag a couple of times.

"Timmy Cahill is my biggest inspiration in football," Irankunda said after the win over Turkey.

"Him and Lionel Messi. Tim Cahill is Australia's greatest, in my opinion. I just thought if I scored, I'd do the same as him, and I got to do it."

Postecoglou believes the goal could influence Irankunda's future career.

"A massive moment," Postecoglou added. "Sometimes at World Cups, you just need a strong couple of weeks, and your entire world can change. Let's hope this is the beginning for him."