Kenya-born South Sudanese refugee Thomas Deng has been named in Australia’s final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Deng, born to South Sudanese parents in the Kenyan city of Nairobi, relocated to Australia at the age of 6 in 2003 and he made his international debut for the Socceroos in October 2018.
The 25-year-old plies his trade in the Japanese second division with Albirex Niigata where he has played eight league matches this season. Deng started his football career at Melbourne Victory and he played for Australia’s youth teams from the U19 level to the U23 level before joining the national team.
In July 2021, Deng wore the captain’s armband and led Australia to a commanding 2-0 victory over Argentina at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The 25-year-old recently played the entire duration of Australia’s international friendly match against New Zealand which ended 2-0 in their favour.
Australia’s Full Squad to Qatar
Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Andrew Redmayne and Danny Vukovic.
Defenders: Milos Degenek, Aziz Behich, Joel King, Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Bailey Wright and Thomas Deng.
Midfielders: Aaron Mooy, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin and Riley McGree.
Forwards: Awer Mabil, Mathew Leckie, Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren, Jason Cummings, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin and Garang Kuol.
