Antonio Rudiger, the German defender with a refugee background, highlights the challenges faced by those fleeing conflict as he advocates for support for displaced individuals during the World Cup.
Antonio Rudiger made his entrance as a substitute during Germany's World Cup opener, which resulted in a 7-1 win against Curacao at the Houston Stadium. He was aware that his large extended family would be watching him with pride during this significant event.
Rudiger shared his family's harrowing story of fleeing Sierra Leone's prolonged civil war. He mentioned, "There was only the decision to get out of there," reflecting on the serious circumstances that forced his family to seek safety. He recalled conversations with his brother, who recounted their family's journey from Kono, their home district in eastern Sierra Leone, to the capital city of Freetown in search of refuge.
The journey covered a distance of roughly 210 miles (340 kilometers) and was fraught with danger. To protect his nieces and nephews from being abducted by rebels and potentially coerced into becoming child soldiers, Rudiger's uncle took drastic measures, hiding them in a rice sack before continuing their escape. Rudiger elaborated, stating that at times, they had to lie still, pretending to be dead to avoid gunfire or abduction.
Rudiger, the youngest of six siblings, was born in Berlin after his family found asylum in Germany, while other relatives settled in countries like the UK and the US. He fondly recalled his upbringing in one of Germany's refugee centers, where his family lived in close quarters with others. He stated, "It influenced me a lot because nothing is given in life. You have to work for things, you have to sacrifice a lot to get where you sometimes get your goal."
In a World Cup where diaspora players and fans have already made significant contributions, Rudiger emphasized the importance of using this platform to advocate for refugees. He is joined in this mission by Alphonso Davies, the captain of co-hosts Canada, who spent his early years in a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents fled Liberia, a country similarly ravaged by civil conflict during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Davies expressed his gratitude to Canada, stating, "Canada means a lot to me," in an interview with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The agency has assembled a symbolic "game-changing team" of refugee players to demonstrate the potential that exists when young people displaced by conflict are provided safety and opportunities. Davies shared positive memories of his new life in Canada, including attending school for the first time, playing his favorite sport, and making friends. He noted, "They welcomed us in with open arms," recognizing the opportunities afforded to him.
Other players contributing to the UNHCR campaign include Australian forwards Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, and Awer Mabil, who are part of the national team. These players were either born in or grew up in African refugee camps and are now showcasing their talents on one of football's most prestigious stages. Irankunda made history as the youngest World Cup goalscorer for Australia with his strike in their 2-0 victory over Turkey.
The Australian professional footballers' association expressed pride in the multicultural composition of their squad, creating a video where each player shared their place of birth or family heritage, celebrating the positive impact of immigration.
Barham Salih, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighted the vulnerability of children and youth during displacement due to war, violence, and persecution. He stated that many are separated from their families, suffer from trauma, and may experience abuse. While these players with refugee backgrounds will receive cheers at the World Cup, some have raised concerns about shifting global perceptions.
Rudiger remarked on the changing narrative surrounding refugees, expressing worry that empathy for those escaping conflict has waned. He stated, "The narrative goes a bit more blaming the refugees," emphasizing that not all individuals fleeing difficult circumstances should be judged based on the actions of a few. He added, "You cannot smear it on everyone, because that's not fair. Because you have people who come here, they really want to change their life, they're doing good, they're trying to learn."
In January 2025, following his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP), prioritizing national security and public safety. USRAP, established in 1980, has facilitated the admission of approximately 3.7 million refugees to the United States, including 504,000 from Africa.
In October, the Trump administration announced a limit of 7,500 refugees for the current US fiscal year, with a controversial focus on white South Africans amid unfounded claims of a "genocide" against Afrikaners. Recent data from the US Department of State indicated that from October to April, only 6,069 refugees were admitted, with almost all from South Africa.
In contrast, during President Joe Biden's final year, the US welcomed 100,034 refugees, with 34,017 from 32 African countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo had the highest acceptance rate, followed by Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan.
The Trump administration defended its refugee admission cuts as justified by humanitarian concerns or national interest, but this stance has faced opposition from advocates. Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, criticized the current environment, stating, "Sadly, right now, the most vulnerable in Africa and across the world have been shut out entirely," while contrasting this with the celebration of human achievement at the World Cup.
In Canada, however, the number of refugees accepted has increased over the past decade, despite recent shifts towards stricter immigration policies. Data from Canada's Refugee Protection Division shows a rise in accepted refugee claims from 9,972 in 2016 to 50,067 in 2025, with Nigeria leading in the number of claims accepted among African nations.
The USA hosted its first World Cup in 1994, coinciding with the resettlement of over 100,000 refugees that year. O'Mara Vignarajah remarked on the historical connection between hosting the world and welcoming it, stating, "We knew back then that hosting the world and welcoming the world were not separate ideas," lamenting that society seems to have lost sight of this principle.
Both Rudiger and Davies hope to remind audiences of the importance of compassion and understanding as they represent the nations that provided refuge to them and their families.
