From Rice Sacks to World Cup Stars: Refugees Shine on Football's Biggest Stage

The World Cup is not just about football; it is also about the incredible journeys of the players who take part. Some of the stars on the field, like Antonio Rudiger from Germany, Alphonso Davies from Canada, and Nestory Irankunda from Australia, have backgrounds as refugees or are the children of refugees from Africa. Their stories show how people can overcome huge challenges and succeed when they are given a chance.

Antonio Rudiger's family story is both inspiring and dramatic. His parents escaped from Sierra Leone during a terrible civil war that lasted for ten years. The journey from their home in Kono to the capital city, Freetown, was about 210 miles and was full of danger. Rudiger's uncle had to hide the children in a sack of rice to protect them from rebels who were looking for child soldiers. Sometimes, they had to pretend to be dead to avoid being hurt or taken away. Eventually, the family made it to Germany, where Rudiger was born. He grew up in a refugee center, sharing space with other families. He says that this experience taught him the value of hard work and sacrifice. Now, he plays for Real Madrid and the German national team, and he wants to use his voice to support refugees everywhere.

Alphonso Davies has a similar story of hope and determination. He was born in a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents fled the war in Liberia. When his family moved to Canada, he was able to go to school, play football, and make friends. He says that Canada welcomed his family and gave him the chance to become who he is today. Davies now plays for Bayern Munich and is a key player for Canada. He is part of a campaign by the United Nations Refugee Agency to show what refugees can achieve when they are given safety and opportunities.

Nestory Irankunda, who plays for Australia, also has a background as a refugee. He was born in a refugee camp in Africa and moved to Australia, where he became the youngest player to score a goal for the national team in the World Cup. The Australian team is proud of its multicultural players and made a video to show the different backgrounds of its squad. Other players with refugee backgrounds include Victor Moses from Nigeria, Eduardo Camavinga from France, and Asmir Begovic from Bosnia.

However, not all countries are as welcoming to refugees as Canada and Australia. In the United States, the number of refugees allowed to enter has been cut sharply in recent years. In 2025, the US government reduced the number of refugees it would accept to just 7,500, compared to over 100,000 in previous years. This decision has been criticized by people who believe that refugees deserve a chance to start a new life. In contrast, Canada has increased the number of refugees it accepts, with many coming from African countries.

The stories of Rudiger, Davies, and Irankunda show that refugees can achieve great things when they are given support and opportunities. They hope that by playing in the World Cup, they can change the way people think about refugees and remind everyone of the importance of kindness and understanding. Their journeys from refugee camps to the world stage are a powerful example of what is possible when people are given hope and a chance to succeed.