Nestory Irankunda
Australian forward who plays for Bayern Munich; became Australia's youngest World Cup goalscorer at 20 years and four months against Türkiye in 2026.
Last refreshed: 14 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
How old was Nestory Irankunda when he scored Australia's record-breaking World Cup goal?
Timeline for Nestory Irankunda
scored on 27 minutes at 20 years four months to become Australia's youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer
2026 FIFA World Cup: Irankunda's record goal sinks Türkiye's return- Who is Nestory Irankunda?
- Nestory Irankunda is a 20-year-old Australian winger who plays for Watford. Born in Tanzania to Burundian refugee parents, he grew up in Perth and became Australia's youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer at the 2026 tournament.Source: Wikipedia / myKhel
- What club does Nestory Irankunda play for?
- Irankunda plays for Watford in the English Championship, having joined from Bayern Munich ahead of the 2025-26 season.Source: Football Express News / Soccerway
- How did Nestory Irankunda break Australia's World Cup record?
- He scored in the 27th minute of Australia's 2-0 win over Türkiye on 14 June 2026, becoming the youngest Socceroo to score at a World Cup at 20 years and four months, beating Brett Holman's 2010 record.Source: event
Background
Nestory Irankunda is an Australian winger Born on 9 February 2006 in Kigoma, Tanzania, to Burundian refugee parents. His family moved to Australia when he was three months old and settled in Perth. He came through the Adelaide United academy before earning a move to Bayern Munich in 2024, making him one of the youngest Australians ever to join a European giant. He subsequently transferred to Watford in the English Championship ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Irankunda scored in the 27th minute of Australia's 2-0 win over Türkiye in Vancouver on 14 June 2026, becoming Australia's youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer at 20 years and four months old. The goal displaced Brett Holman's record set at the 2010 tournament. Connor Metcalfe added the second as Türkiye, returning to the World Cup after a 24-year absence, fell to a composed Australian display.
Irankunda's story carries weight beyond the record: he is the child of refugees who arrived in Australia with nothing, rose through grassroots football in Perth, and announced himself on the largest stage in the sport at the age of 20. His emergence gives Australia one of the tournament's most compelling backstories heading into the knockout rounds.
