Irankunda Says Hanson Comments Angered Socceroos

Australia forward Nestory Irankunda has said Pauline Hanson's comments about the Socceroos and multiculturalism angered several members of the national team during the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to ABC radio on Wednesday, the 20-year-old said the remarks affected him emotionally and also upset teammates who knew young Australians looked up to the squad.

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According to The Guardian, the One Nation leader made the comments a week after Australia beat Turkey in its opening group match at the tournament in North America. Following a National Press Club speech in which Hanson argued Australia should be a monocultural society, she claimed the Socceroos represented her vision of that country.

Irankunda rejected that characterization, explaining that he identifies as Australian and found the comments upsetting. He said several Socceroos shared that reaction. Although he generally avoids political controversy, Irankunda indicated that a future conversation with Hanson was possible while making clear he remained troubled by things she had said previously.

The forward scored Australia's first goal of the World Cup in the victory over Turkey. Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents, Irankunda moved to Portuguese champion Sporting CP after the tournament. The Guardian reported the transfer fee could rise to $32 million, while preserving the fee as a reported figure rather than a confirmed club valuation.

The issue had already drawn responses from within the Australian squad. Fellow international Awer Mabil, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to South Sudanese parents, criticized Hanson's position after Australia was eliminated. Mabil was named Young Australian of the Year in 2023.

Earlier in the World Cup, Australian players also released a video presenting the Socceroos as a reflection of modern Australia and emphasizing the team's migrant backgrounds. Irankunda referred to teammates including Mabil and Mohamed Toure as players trying to represent the country positively. His latest comments add a current player's account of how the political dispute was received inside the squad during the tournament.