Meet Son of Uganda Who Snubbed the Cranes and Now Shining for Australia at 2026 World Cup

Jason Geria, a defender with Ugandan roots, has fulfilled a lifelong ambition by representing Australia at the World Cup, marking a significant milestone in a career defined by patience and perseverance.

The 33-year-old right-back, who was eligible to play for Uganda through his parents, made his World Cup debut when he came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute of the Socceroos' 2-0 Group D win over Turkey on Sunday.

Geria's journey to the global stage has been a slow burn. He first earned a cap for Australia under then-coach Ange Postecoglou back in 2016. However, he had to wait eight years for his second appearance, having missed out on selection for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup squads.

Despite his long absence from the national team, Geria remained eligible to represent Uganda until October 2024, as his previous appearances for Australia were only in friendly matches. His connection to the East African nation is strong; his father, Moses Geria, moved to Australia from Arua in the early 1980s on a university exchange program and was later granted asylum during the civil war.

"Geria is from Maracha district. The grandfather is still alive (and) currently resides in Mvara, Arua City," wrote columnist Godfrey Drabe. "He occasionally comes to Uganda during the December holiday festivities."

After representing Australia at various youth levels, including the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Geria's senior international career was revived when Tony Popovic, his former coach at Melbourne Victory, took charge of the Socceroos in late 2024. Since then, he has become a regular in the squad.

"I'm just very grateful that this opportunity has come and that I persisted in working as hard as I did for as long as I did, and believing that one day something like this could happen for myself," Geria said. "I'm still pinching myself, honestly, that I'm part of the final 26... preparing for a World Cup."

Geria is one of several players in the Australian squad with immigrant backgrounds. The team's opening goal against Turkey was scored by Nestory Irankunda, a 20-year-old forward who was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents. Irankunda, who moved to Australia as a child, became the Socceroos' youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer.

After developing at Adelaide United, the talented forward secured a high-profile transfer to Bayern Munich in 2024 and is currently on loan at Watford.