From Displacement to the Global Stage
The current World Cup features several athletes whose journeys to professional football began amidst displacement and conflict, showcasing remarkable resilience and the impact of receiving refuge. Players like Germany's Antonio Rudiger, Canada's Alphonso Davies, and Australia's Nestory Irankunda represent nations that offered their families new beginnings.
Antonio Rudiger's Family Escapes Sierra Leone's Civil War
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, who played for Germany in their World Cup opener, comes from a family that fled Sierra Leone's decadelong civil war. His brother recounted harrowing experiences, including being hidden in a rice sack during their perilous 210-mile journey from Kono to the capital, Freetown, to escape rebels. Rudiger, the youngest of six, was born in Berlin after his family was granted refugee status in Germany. He recalls growing up in a refugee center, an experience that instilled in him the value of hard work and sacrifice.
"Nothing is given in life. You have to work for things, you have to sacrifice a lot to get where you sometimes get your goal." - Antonio Rudiger
Alphonso Davies's Path from Ghanaian Refugee Camp to Canada Captain
Alphonso Davies, captain of co-host Canada, spent his early childhood in a Ghanaian refugee camp. His parents had escaped Liberia's civil war in the 1990s. Canada welcomed his family, providing him with opportunities he cherishes, such as attending school, playing football, and making friends. Davies, a Bayern Munich full-back, shared with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) how Canada "welcomed us in with open arms" and gave him the chance to pursue his dreams. The UNHCR has highlighted such stories through a symbolic "game-changing team" of refugee players to illustrate the potential unleashed when displaced youth find safety and opportunity.
Australian Forwards with Refugee Backgrounds
Australia's national team also includes forwards with refugee backgrounds: Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, and Awer Mabil. Irankunda, at 20, became the Socceroos' youngest World Cup goalscorer. All three either were born or grew up in African refugee camps before finding opportunities in Australia. The Australian professional footballers' association has celebrated the squad's multicultural composition, producing a video that highlights the diverse origins of its players and the benefits of immigration.
Global Perceptions and Refugee Policies
While these players achieve success on the world stage, some involved in the UN campaign express concern about a shifting global narrative surrounding refugees. Rudiger believes that empathy for those fleeing conflict has diminished, noting a tendency to generalize negative perceptions. He emphasizes that while imperfections exist, it is unfair to condemn all refugees based on the actions of a few, especially when many are striving to build new, productive lives.
Refugee admission policies vary significantly across nations. In January 2025, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), citing national security concerns. This led to a drastic reduction in refugee intake, prioritizing specific groups. For instance, in the seven months from October to April, only 6,069 refugees were admitted, with the vast majority from South Africa. This contrasts sharply with the final full year of Democratic President Biden's term, which saw 100,034 refugees accepted, including 34,017 from 32 African nations.
Critics, like Krish O'Mara Vignarajah of Global Refuge, argue that such policies contradict the spirit of celebrating human achievement, especially when the US hosts events like the World Cup. In contrast, Canada has increased its annual refugee acceptance numbers over the last decade, with data showing a rise from 9,972 accepted claims in 2016 to 50,067 in 2025, representing 38 African nations.
As players like Rudiger and Davies compete, they hope their stories will serve as a reminder of the positive contributions refugees can make when given a chance, echoing the sentiment that "hosting the world and welcoming the world were not separate ideas."
Source: 'My brother hid in a rice sack' - The refugee stars at the World Cup