Australia's Awer Mabil Reflects on Refugee Journey Ahead of World Cup Match Against US

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Awer Mabil’s face quickly turned to pure joy. He beamed and fought his emotions, a reaction Australia’s veteran forward hardly could have seen coming. It had nothing to do with a soccer result, but rather a reflection that took him back to his tumultuous youth as a refugee and how some good fortune landed him in Australia for a new start in life.

Mabil looked into the audience during his media conference after training Tuesday and discovered a familiar face in David Basheer, the longtime commentator on Australia’s SBS network, who had just offered a question days ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup matchup against the United States on Friday in Seattle. “I grew up watching you,” Mabil said, so taken aback that he asked Basheer to repeat himself. The touching moment is yet another example of Mabil’s refreshing sincerity as one of the Aussies’ key faces at this World Cup, no matter how many minutes he plays.

The 30-year-old Mabil represents the persistence it took to prevail and get this far, given his daunting path. He was born in Kakuma, Kenya, to South Sudanese parents who had escaped civil war, and he moved to Australia 20 years ago at age 10 through the country’s humanitarian resettlement program. He began playing organized soccer in Adelaide, South Australia state. It is fitting that Mabil is sharing his story during Refugee Week, with World Refugee Day on Saturday.

“It’s a Refugee Week and it’s a week that I would like to say to anybody that is misplaced all over the world that we are with you,” he said. “And we are in a world stage right now, in a big tournament — and just to tell you everything is possible, so keep going.” Mabil took part in a video message about diversity ahead of the World Cup that went viral, carrying the message: “No matter where you come from, football is for everyone.” He considers himself a “big brother” to teammates Mo Touré and Nestory Irankunda, fellow refugees from Africa.

Irankunda, 20, became the youngest player to score a World Cup goal for the Socceroos in a 2-0 win over Turkey on Saturday in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Australians want to show how far the country has come at the World Cup level. “I hope we’re starting to gain a little bit more respect,” defender Alessandro Circati said. “I don’t want to be the underdogs for the rest of my life.”

Mabil, who played briefly as a substitute in two group-stage matches four years ago and did not get on the field for the opener this year, is prepared to do his part. “I’m proud of the boys,” he said. “A lot of the young boys now making the difference for the national team all come through Adelaide, and it’s a credit to the football community.” He and his teammates are enjoying their time at the Claremont Resort and Club in nearby Berkeley and training at the former headquarters of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.

“Coming in as a senior player I think is more mental that you have to be present for the younger ones. Sometimes you want to slap them,” Mabil joked. “I’ll play my role to the best of my abilities to be available for the young ones and also the older ones because the older ones also they go through difficulties so they don’t have all the answers — nobody has all the answers.”