Refugee forward Irankunda leaves Bayern for Australia's World Cup 2026 dream

Nestory Irankunda scored Australia’s first goal in their 2-0 World Cup win over Turkey in Vancouver.

Historic World Cup debut goal At just 20 years old, Nestory Irankunda etched his name into Australia’s football history by becoming the youngest scorer ever to find the net for the Socceroos in a World Cup match. The opening goal came in the 27th minute against Turkey in their Group D clash in Vancouver, a 2-0 victory that marked the beginning of his World Cup journey. "It is unreal and a dream come true," Irankunda expressed immediately after the final whistle. This moment was not just a personal achievement but a significant milestone in a career already filled with extraordinary challenges and triumphs. ## A refugee’s path to football stardom Irankunda’s story is one of resilience and determination, beginning in a refugee camp in Tanzania in 2006, where he was born to parents from Burundi who had fled civil war. His family later moved to Australia when he was still a young child, and it was there that he discovered his passion for football. Progressing through the youth ranks, he made a name for himself at Adelaide United in the A-League, scoring 16 goals and providing eight assists for the senior team. His standout performances caught the attention of Bayern Munich, which signed him in 2024. ## Tough choice leads to England move Despite spending time training alongside world-class players like England striker Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, Irankunda found himself sidelined and lacking playing minutes. Realizing his dream of representing Australia at the World Cup was in jeopardy, he faced a difficult decision that summer. The opportunity to join Watford in England for an undisclosed fee presented itself, and after careful consideration, he chose to leave Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich behind. "It was a hard decision but obviously my biggest goal for me is to play at the World Cup," he explained. "The 2026 World Cup is around the corner and I have to play minutes. I wasn’t playing minutes. It has always been a dream of mine to play in England." ## Grasshopper loan and squad return After a stint on loan at Swiss side Grasshopper during the previous season, Irankunda returned to Australia and reclaimed his spot in the national team squad. He had already made his World Cup qualifying debut in June 2024 against Bangladesh and quickly established himself as a rising star by scoring in his second appearance against Palestine, becoming the second youngest scorer in Australia’s history. His performances and relentless work ethic earned him a place in the 2026 World Cup squad. ## Teammate Toure praises Irankunda’s talent Team-mate Mohamed Toure described Irankunda as having a unique and special talent, comparing him to England’s Jude Bellingham. "I’ve seen a lot of good players but sometimes you have a special talent and he’s that," Toure remarked. "If he puts in the work and stays grounded I think he’ll go beyond the potential many people already say he has. He’ll surpass that." Toure even bestowed the nickname "Houdini" on Irankunda for his ability to escape tight situations on the pitch. ## Celebration inspired by football legends Irankunda’s goal against Turkey was not just historic but also memorable in its celebration. He chose to mimic the iconic corner flag punches made famous by former Australia midfielder Tim Cahill, declaring Cahill his biggest inspiration alongside Lionel Messi. "Timmy Cahill is my biggest inspiration when it comes to football," Irankunda shared after the match. "Him and Lionel Messi. Tim Cahill, Australia’s greatest in my opinion. I just thought if I scored, I’ll do the same as him and I got to do it." This moment added a personal touch to his World Cup debut. ## Coach Postecoglou sees bright future Former Australia manager Ange Postecoglou hailed Irankunda’s goal as a potential turning point in his career. "A massive moment," Postecoglou said. "Sometimes in World Cups, you just need a good couple of weeks and your whole world can change. Let’s hope that is the start for him." He also praised the young forward’s pace and power, describing his finish as "fantastic speed" and emphasizing that such talent could elevate Irankunda to new heights in world football.