• Garang Kuol was born in an Egyptian refugee camp to South Sudanese parents

• The 18-year-old striker made his Australian League debut for Central Coast Mariners in April 2022

• Kuol is the youngest player ever to sport Australian colours in a FIFA World Cup

Soumitra Bose The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been quite special for ‘migrant’ footballers representing various nations in Qatar, a nation where migrant workers outnumber locals. There are several African players playing for top teams, including France and Spain, both World Cup title contenders. If inclusiveness is a yardstick, Australia have shown the way by picking three African ‘refugees’ Awer Mabil, Garang Kuol and Thomas Deng. Mabil and Koul made their World Cup debuts in Qatar, both coming as substitutes in the second half during their opener against defending champions France. Teenager Garang Kuol, who was born to South Sudanese parents in Egypt, is grabbing some attention as he is headed for the English Premier League next year. He has been signed up by Newcastle United. Awer Mabil, who was also born to South Sudanese parents and raised in a Kenyan refugee camp, is already playing in the La Liga for Cadiz CF.

Due to political strife and uncertainty, Kuol’s parents had fled South Sudan and lived in Egypt before moving to Victoria in Australia as refugees. Across the world, sport has been a provider for ‘refugees’ as Africans are natural athletes. It was no different for the Kuol family. Garang Kuol was six when he landed in Australia along with his five brothers. Elder brother Alou was the first to make a mark in football as the siblings grew up watching video tapes of top Australian footballers like Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano. Garang’s formal journey started with semi-professional team, Goulburn Valley Suns and at 15, he was already playing for the senior team. In 2019, Garang followed Alou’s footsteps to become a professional. By signing at Central Coast Mariners academy, the teenager clearly showed his intentions and played for the senior side when he was 17. In his first match for the Mariners, Garang Kuol, a two-footed central striker, came on as a substitute and scored in a 6-0 win against APIA Leichhardt. It was a 2021 FFA Cup match in December.

In April 2022, the big break arrived. Garang Kool was among the substitutes for the A-League match against Western United but did not play. His A-League debut came in the Mariners' next match against Wellington Phoenix. He scored in a 5-0 win. In his first seven A-League games, Garang scored four times! In June 2022, Garang signed a two-year professional contract with Central Coast Mariners. Garang’s rise to become Australia’s youngest World Cupper came as no surprise. The teen sensation shone at every level he played and his scoring prowess made him a must-have for head coaches. In October 2022, Garang was selected to play for the Australian under-20 side for the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers.

A month earlier, Garang Kuol played his first match for the Australian senior national team in an international friendly against New Zealand. He was the sixth youngest ‘Socceroo’ ever, at 18 years and 10 days, when he came on as a substitute against the Kiwis. In November, Garang was named in the 26-member Australian squad for the Qatar World Cup. Garang Kuol made his World Cup debut on November 22 against World Cup champions, France. Australia lost 4-1. He could be Australia’s super-sub in the FIFA World Cup 2022 knockouts.

It's been a sensational 12 months for Garang. Before the World Cup break, his selection for the A-League All Stars Game, for a post-season friendly in May against Barcelona, proved to be a massive opportunity. Once again, Garang came on as a substitute, and in his 30 minutes on the pitch, he stretched the Barcelona backline with his speed and vision. He even came close to scoring after a dazzling solo run.

Barcelona coach Xavi was impressed. "It was a big surprise," the Barca boss said post-match. “(He is) very fast, he created many chances and we conceded two or three chances because of him. So, a great player and a great future. He's a talent," observed Xavi. A bigger challenge awaits Garang Kuol in the Premier League. His impressive run attracted scouts from Barcelona, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund but he will be seen in action at St James Park. Newcastle, in September 2022, confirmed the signing, and the Aussie starlet is expected to join the Magpies early January 2023. Kuol is already worth 300,000 Pounds and he has just only started a promising professional career.