Nestory Irankunda buried Australia’s opening goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 14, finishing a counter-attack in the 27th minute against Turkiye in Vancouver. At 20 years old, he became the youngest player in Socceroos history to score at a World Cup.
The goal gave Australia a 1-0 lead in their Group D opener.
The goal and its context
Born on February 9, 2006, Irankunda was just 20 years and four months old when he found the net in Vancouver.
Before the tournament kicked off, Irankunda had already accumulated 14 senior caps and 5 goals for Australia.
