UNHCR’s Gamechanging Team

Football has always been more than a game for me. My family came to Australia as refugees, and growing up, the sport gave me freedom, belief and a sense of belonging. I hope sharing my story shows young refugees that where you start in life does not define what you can achieve.

Mohamed Touré was born in Guinea after his parents were forced to flee conflict in Liberia. As a young child, Touré was resettled in Australia, growing up in Adelaide. He went on to play for Adelaide United, now plays for Norwich City and is set to represent the Australia at his first World Cup.

My story is an example to others that you can make it from nowhere to somewhere. I want to support and motivate young people trying to make it in life.

Antonio Rüdiger grew up in Germany after his parents fled war in Sierra Leone. On the pitch, he now plays for Real Madrid FC and he represents the German national team. Off the pitch, he founded the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation supporting children in Sierra Leone.

My parents fled Iraq when I was very young. Packed up everything, new country, new language. I owe everything to them. I want to remind people there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

Ali Al-Hamadi’s family fled from Iraq to the UK when he was one. He is the first Iraqi footballer to play in the Premier League. He currently plays for Luton Town and for Iraq’s national team. He helped Iraq qualify for their first World Cup in over 40 years.

Being forced to flee home as a child stays with you for life. It made me who I am. Football gave me stability, purpose and belonging. For young refugees, the game can keep dreams alive.”

 Aged four, Asmir Begović and his family fled the Bosnian war to Germany. He later represented the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team at their first-ever World Cup in 2014 and enjoyed a long career in England, including with Chelsea FC. His foundation supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds through sports.

This UNHCR team shows the power of football to change lives. My father fled Bosnia around the time of the war, and I was born in Germany. To now represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at only its second-ever World Cup makes me incredibly proud.

Ermedin Demirović’s father fled Bosnia around the start of the conflict and built a new life in Germany, where Ermedin was born and raised. He now plays for VfB Stuttgart and represents the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, helping the country qualify for its second-ever World Cup.

Growing up in a refugee camp, football was more than a game to me – it was freedom and hope. It helped me believe that life could be different. For young refugees today, the game can still open doors and inspire them to imagine a brighter future.

Awer Mabil was born in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya to South Sudanese parents who had fled conflict. He was resettled in Australia when he was 10, where football helped shape his future. Mabil represents Australia’s national team, including at the 2022 World Cup, and now plays for CD Castellón in Spain. He also founded a charity, Barefoot to Boots, supporting young refugees through sport and education.

Football has always been more than a game for me. My family came to Australia as refugees, and growing up, the sport gave me freedom, belief and a sense of belonging. I hope sharing my story shows young refugees that where you start in life does not define what you can achieve.

Mohamed Touré was born in Guinea after his parents were forced to flee conflict in Liberia. As a young child, Touré was resettled in Australia, growing up in Adelaide. He went on to play for Adelaide United, now plays for Norwich City and is set to represent the Australia at his first World Cup.

My story is an example to others that you can make it from nowhere to somewhere. I want to support and motivate young people trying to make it in life.

Antonio Rüdiger grew up in Germany after his parents fled war in Sierra Leone. On the pitch, he now plays for Real Madrid FC and he represents the German national team. Off the pitch, he founded the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation supporting children in Sierra Leone.

My parents fled Iraq when I was very young. Packed up everything, new country, new language. I owe everything to them. I want to remind people there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

Ali Al-Hamadi’s family fled from Iraq to the UK when he was one. He is the first Iraqi footballer to play in the Premier League. He currently plays for Luton Town and for Iraq’s national team. He helped Iraq qualify for their first World Cup in over 40 years.

Being forced to flee home as a child stays with you for life. It made me who I am. Football gave me stability, purpose and belonging. For young refugees, the game can keep dreams alive.

Aged four, Asmir Begović and his family fled the Bosnian war to Germany. He later represented the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team at their first-ever World Cup in 2014 and enjoyed a long career in England, including with Chelsea FC. His foundation supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds through sports.

This UNHCR team shows the power of football to change lives. My father fled Bosnia around the time of the war, and I was born in Germany. To now represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at only its second-ever World Cup makes me incredibly proud.

Ermedin Demirović’s father fled Bosnia around the start of the conflict and built a new life in Germany, where Ermedin was born and raised. He now plays for VfB Stuttgart and represents the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, helping the country qualify for its second-ever World Cup.

Growing up in a refugee camp, football was more than a game to me – it was freedom and hope. It helped me believe that life could be different. For young refugees today, the game can still open doors and inspire them to imagine a brighter future.

Awer Mabil was born in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya to South Sudanese parents who had fled conflict. He was resettled in Australia when he was 10, where football helped shape his future. Mabil represents Australia’s national team, including at the 2022 World Cup, and now plays for CD Castellón in Spain. He also founded a charity, Barefoot to Boots, supporting young refugees through sport and education.