Pauline Hanson’s assertion that the Socceroos epitomize a monocultural Australia sparked anger among the national team during this year’s World Cup. Nestory Irankunda, who scored the team’s first goal in their opening match against Turkey, expressed his frustration in an interview following Hanson’s remarks.

Hanson, leader of One Nation, made her comments after the Socceroos’ victory, stating that Australia cannot embrace multiculturalism. She claimed, “The Socceroos represent my vision of a monocultural Australia,” which did not sit well with many players.

Irakunda stated, “It did make a lot of us boys angry – I won’t lie,” revealing his emotional response to the situation. He emphasized the importance of representation, saying, “I always tell people I’m Australian,” and noted that such comments affect young fans who look up to the team.

The 20-year-old forward, who recently transferred to Sporting CP for a fee of up to $32 million, was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp. His teammate, Awer Mabil, also from a refugee background, vocally criticized Hanson’s stance, labeling her claims as “bullshit.” Mabil, recognized as Young Australian of the Year in 2023, echoed Irankunda’s sentiments regarding the team’s multicultural identity.

Earlier in the tournament, the Socceroos released a video celebrating their diverse backgrounds, with midfielder Jackson Irvine stating, “The Socceroos aren’t just a team; we are a reflection of modern Australia.” Irankunda added, “I don’t like how they try and put us in the whole same category as the other people that do bad.”

When asked about potentially engaging with Hanson, Irankunda remained cautious, stating he was still upset by her past comments but left the door open for future dialogue.