Irankunda was born in a refugee camp in Africa. Today he is an Australian international and World Cup goalscorer. The 19-year-old, who once played for FC Bayern Munich, scored a goal against Turkey at the World Cup, upsetting the underdog.
Irankunda moved from Australian club Adelaide United to FC Bayern in 2023. In Munich, he initially played for the second team before being loaned to English second-division side Watford in the summer of 2024. There he gained match practice and recommended himself for the national team.
His path is extraordinary: Irankunda was born in a refugee camp in Burundi; his family fled the civil war. He came to Australia at the age of five, where he started playing football. His talent was quickly noticed, and he went through the youth national teams.
At the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026, Irankunda made his debut. In the group match against Turkey, he scored the 2-1 final score, securing Australia’s first victory. “It’s an incredible feeling to score for my country,” he said after the game. “I’ve worked hard for this.”
FC Bayern continues to monitor Irankunda’s development. The club holds a buy-back option for the winger. If he continues to perform well at Watford and for the national team, he could soon be playing in Munich again.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
