'My brother hid in a rice sack' - The refugee stars at the World Cup
At the World Cup, several star footballers are not only representing their countries but also carrying extraordinary refugee backgrounds that shaped their lives. Players like Antonio Rüdiger of Germany and Alphonso Davies of Canada have shared powerful stories of survival, escape, and rebuilding life after war.
Rüdiger, who was born in Berlin to Sierra Leonean refugee parents, has spoken about his family’s dangerous escape from Sierra Leone’s civil war. He revealed how relatives endured extreme risks during their journey, including hiding children in a rice sack to protect them from being captured by armed groups. His family eventually reached safety in Europe, where he was born and raised in refugee accommodation.
Similarly, Alphonso Davies, captain of Canada, spent part of his childhood in a refugee camp in Ghana after his family fled Liberia. He later resettled in Canada, where he discovered football, education, and stability. Davies has often credited his adoptive country for giving him the opportunity to build a successful life and career.
Other players with refugee backgrounds include Eduardo Camavinga, whose family fled Angola for France, and Australia’s Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Touré, and Awer Mabil, who either were born in or grew up in refugee settings before reaching professional football. Their journeys highlight how displacement has shaped a generation of global athletes.
The United Nations Refugee Agency has highlighted these athletes as part of a symbolic campaign showing how displaced young people can thrive when given safety and opportunity. The organization estimates that nearly 49 million children worldwide are currently displaced due to war, violence, and persecution, many facing trauma, separation, and hardship.
Rüdiger has also spoken about changing public attitudes toward refugees, saying that negative narratives unfairly generalize entire communities based on the actions of a few individuals. He stressed that many refugees work hard to integrate, learn new languages, and contribute positively to society.
At the same time, global refugee policies remain politically sensitive. The article also notes changes in US refugee admissions in recent years, with significantly reduced intake compared to previous administrations, sparking criticism from humanitarian organizations. Meanwhile, countries like Canada have seen an increase in refugee acceptance over the past decade.
Together, the stories of these World Cup players highlight a powerful contrast between hardship and success, showing how lives shaped by conflict and displacement can still reach the highest levels of global sport.