How Irankunda's World Cup goal resonated in his Burundian community

Nestory Irankunda's opening goal for Australia in their FIFA World Cup 2026 victory over Türkiye on 14 June resonated far beyond the stadium in Vancouver. For the Burundian community in Adelaide, South Australia, the moment carried deep personal significance.

Joel Hakizimana, president of Burundi FC and a longtime family friend, described the scene as the 20-year-old winger's shot hit the net. “I ran everywhere – we were jumping off the couch, running all over the place, screaming,” he told FIFA.

A journey from refugee camp to World Cup stage

Hakizimana first met Irankunda's father, Gideon, in a refugee camp in Tanzania, where the family had fled during the Burundian civil war. Nestory was born in that camp. “His dad was one of the top players in the refugee camp,” Hakizimana recalled. “He was a striker as well.”

The families resettled in South Australia in the mid-2000s. Hakizimana and Gideon played together for the Burundi Eagles Soccer Club. Young Nestory would often tag along to training sessions at Creaser Park in Adelaide's northern suburbs, where the Burundian community prepared for the annual African Cup of Nations of South Australia.

“While he was a junior, he’d always come to train with us,” Hakizimana said. “He was still a kid but was never scared to train or to play with the big boys. He’s always been confident, strong, quick.”

Natural talent and fearless attitude

Hakizimana observed Irankunda's rapid development. “He's very natural. When it comes to speed, when it comes to strength, when it comes to thinking how he's going to control the ball and then take it. I think he was born like that. I think he's just a natural player.”

Beyond physical gifts, Irankunda displayed a fearlessness that set him apart. “He was improving day after day and we could see there was a big potential in him,” Hakizimana said. “What we never expected is where he is today.”

Irankunda progressed from local amateur club Northern Wolves to Adelaide Croatia and then Adelaide United, where he played 55 league games and scored 16 goals. In 2024, he moved to European giants Bayern Munich, spending half a season with their B team before loan spells at Swiss side Grasshoppers and Watford in England's second tier.

Community pride and gratitude

Hakizimana noted that Irankunda had seen two other Burundian community members reach professional football: Elvis Kamsboba, who played for Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC, and his brother Pacifique Niyongabire, who moved from Adelaide United to Perth Glory and then to North America.

Since Irankunda's World Cup goal, Hakizimana has received interview requests from outlets including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Southern Cross, the newspaper for Adelaide's Roman Catholic archdiocese. “On behalf of the Burundian community of South Australia, we thank the Australian football federation [Football Australia] for trusting and giving the opportunity to our young people,” he said.

The community of about 1,000 families in South Australia now celebrates one of their own on football's biggest stage, a source of pride that extends well beyond the pitch.