As the Socceroos shine on the world stage, a different victory is unfolding at home | Soccer and …

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As the Socceroos shine on the world stage, a different victory is unfolding at home

SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia.

As anti-migrant rhetoric intensifies in Australia, the Socceroos' diverse World Cup squad sends a powerful message to multicultural communities that they belong, migrant advocates say.

The team shocked the world defeating a higher-ranked Türkiye 2-0 on Sunday, with a stunning opening goal scored by 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda, a former refugee and the Socceroos' youngest ever World Cup scorer.

The diversity of Australia's 26-man squad — comprising at least 15 cultural and ethnic backgrounds — has become a focal point of the team's World Cup campaign, with players releasing a video celebrating their migrant roots on the eve of the tournament.

Soccer and immigration are deeply intertwined in Australia. This exhibition explains why

There’s nothing like the World Cup to bring people of different cultures together. Australians of all backgrounds roared with delight when Nestory Irankunda and then Connor Metcalfe scored against Turkey in the Socceroos’ first match of the tournament.

The Socceroos’ second World Cup game on Saturday comes after a week in which One Nation leader Pauline Hanson argued for a stop to multiculturalism, and at a time when members of the Australian team are proudly proclaiming their rich, diverse backgrounds in a social media campaign that speaks directly to those who criticise immigration.

Irankunda was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania; his parents were originally from neighbouring Burundi but had fled due to civil war, eventually settling in Perth when he was three months old. His teammates Awer Mabil, Mohamed Touré and Miloš Degenek also came to Australia as refugees.

Team video went viral because Australians can relate to Socceroos’ diversity, says Awer Mabil

Forward one of four players who came to Australia as refugees

Mabil has tried to be a ‘big brother’ to Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda

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Socceroos forward Awer Mabil offered his trademark focus on Wednesday afternoon in Oakland speaking to the Australian media about this week’s clash against the United States. There was one distraction, however, he could not overcome.

The winger lost his concentration when long-time SBS commentator David Basheer – in the US as part of the network’s coverage – asked a question during the press conference. “Sorry, David from SBS, right?” Mabil interjected. “I grew up watching you.”

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