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Australia's World Cup squad includes players born in refugee camps, and the team is using its platform to push back against anti-immigration sentiment at home
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When Australia takes the pitch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, its squad will include at least three players who were born as refugees. Mo Touré, Awer Mabil, and Nestory Irankunda each carry stories of displacement and resettlement.
The Socceroos aren’t just quietly including these players. In early June 2026, the team released a video message, co-produced with the Professional Footballers Australia union, that directly addresses rising anti-immigration sentiment in Australia. The message is clear: this squad is proud of where its players come from.
