Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has confirmed teen sensation Nestory Irankunda will be picked for the nation’s next World Cup qualifiers – in the most unlikely of fashions.
The Bayern Munich-bound teen threatened to play for another country last week, conceding he would consider the move if he was not considered for the Australian team.
“As of now I’m not too sure how things are going to go,” Irankunda said after the A-League Men’s All-Stars smashed a severely weakened Newcastle United side 8-0.
Watch selected NRL & AFL games, along with every F1 race live in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial today
“I haven’t been called up for a few of the squads now. I’m still thinking on what I’m going to do in the future at national level so we’ll see.
“I’m still eligible for Tanzania and Burundi as well but obviously it’s a dream of mine to play for the Socceroos and if the opportunity comes again then hopefully it comes sooner and I take it.”
It has been considered odd the 18-year-old has not been called up for Socceroos duties for some time, but Arnold confirmed Irankunda’s future plans after calling up Aussie great Robbie Slater on live TV.
Slater was discussing whether Irankunda should be picked on Fox Sports’ Back Page Live when, as he was answering the question, he noticed Arnold was calling him.
“I think it’s crazy not to pick him. Wait a sec, let’s ask the manager himself,” Slater said.
“You’re on national television … it’s funny we were just talking about Nestory Irankunda, but we’re not asking you any direct questions unless Tony (Squires, the host) asks me to?”
A startled Arnold jokingly replied: “Leave me out of it!”
But after veteran journalist Crash Craddock put the question to Arnold, asking him whether Irankunda would be picked, the coach replied simply: “Yes.”
Slater added: “Graham Arnold will never speak to me again!”
Australia has already qualified for the last phase of 2026 World Cup qualifying but can earn an easier group in the next stage with wins over Bangladesh (away, June 6) and Palestine (Perth, June 11).
As official World Cup qualifiers naming Irankunda will lock him into playing for Australia.