Nestory Irankunda, who was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp in 2006 to Burundian parents, is now a World Cup goalscorer as Australia defeated Turkey at BC Place in Vancouver on Saturday.
True to the hype around him, Nestory Irankunda, 20, was instrumental in the Socceroos’ outstanding opening victory against Turkey. During the 2-0 win over Turkey at BC Place in Vancouver on Saturday, he netted his first goal of the 2026 World Cup.
Sharing on his first World Cup, Irankunda, 20, said, “It feels amazing to score on my debut. “We are so proud of this; this is just the second time we have won our starting game. I hope everyone back home is just as proud.”
He continued, “Honestly, I don’t pay attention to personal records; I only try to give my best for the national team, and that is what I did today.” I poured my heart into it. Of course, I was sensing it towards now; this is what I like: giving everything for the nation that has so much for me.
The win is Australia’s biggest World Cup winning margin since 2006, when Tim Cahill’s star-studded performance led the Socceroos to a 2-0 win over Japan. This win also puts Australia even with the USA at the top of Group D, therefore ready for a thrilling match in Seattle on June 19.
Irankunda and his colleagues view this as a chance to refute their detractors. We understood our goals and our capabilities. The young talent said, “That wasn’t our best effort, but we pushed to our boundaries and gave everything we had.”
We attacked with focus and defended fiercely. The outcome shows itself; we scored some goals and are quite happy. For those who questioned us, much more is to be said.
Rewind Early Careers
Australia’s first international call-up for Irankunda, who might have represented Burundi and Tanzania, came in September 2022. He was chosen to represent the under-17 team in the qualifying games for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. He had a spectacular debut versus the Northern Mariana Islands, capping off a spectacular hat-trick by the 38th minute and then adding two more goals to guarantee a decisive 23-0 win.
Club and Country
The youngster has made 42 appearances for Championship club Watford, scored four goals and made five to ensure he was selected for the World Cup to make history in the USA, Canada and Mexico 48 teams World Cup. After collecting a clever pass, he showed a superb pace and composure to create the opening in the 27th minute against Turkey.
