Bayern Munich-bound teenager Nestry Irankunda was called up for the first time to Australia’s squad on Wednesday for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
The 18-year-old winger, who was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania after his parents fled fighting in their native Burundi, is set to move to Germany next season.
Firstly, he hopes to make his Australian debut in a 2026 World Cup qualifier away to Bangladesh on June 6 and then at home to Palestine five days later.
Graham Arnold’s team has won all four games to top their group and are already in the final stages of qualifying for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
After Irankunda was not selected for Australia’s recent Olympic squad and suggested he might represent Tanzania or Burundi instead, Arnold said the player was ready.
The attacker has played for Australia at under-17 level and Arnold called him up to train with the senior team in March.
“I was surprised (by Irankunda) but the important thing is he said it’s his dream to play for Australia,” Arnold said in announcing his 25-man squad on Wednesday.
“When I spoke to him last week, that was his dream, and his dream is going to come true.”
The pacey Irankunda recently became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Australian A-League when he scored three goals in Adelaide United’s 4-1 win over Western United.
The Australian team will train in Thailand before traveling to Bangladesh.
Burbst/DH
