Nestory Irankunda the face of changing Socceroos at World Cup

Nestory Irankunda is a fan favourite. (Getty Images: Graham Denholm)

Nestory Irankunda still cannot believe the new face of Australian football is a young black man.

The 20-year-old is one of the hottest properties at this year's World Cup, with replicas of his number 17 shirt set to fly out the door.

If Socceroos dynamo Irankunda does something special, his profile could go next level.

But the most prominent of six players of African descent in Australia's 26-man World Cup squad is still getting his head around young black men like himself and Mohamed Toure becoming the face of the Socceroos.

Nestory Irankunda is set for a breakout moment at the World Cup. (Getty Images: Steve Christo/Corbis)

"It's crazy because who would have thought?" Irankunda told AAP.

"Now that it's happening, everybody's like 'wow'. But I never thought it would be possible — maybe one day, but not this early."

Irankunda said he himself idolised Tim Cahill for his skills as a footballer and his presence as one of few people of colour in the Socceroos.

"For me, one of my people that I looked up to — I don't know if people count him as a Black person — but I'd say, Tim Cahill," he said.

"To this day, I've never met him, but that's one of my biggest dreams — to meet him and have a conversation with him — because what a player, top player."

The Socceroos have long represented Australia's multiculturalism and now, more than ever, this squad embodies the changing face of the country.

Irankunda, the son of Burundian parents, was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania before the family settled in Australia when he was a baby.

Toure (Guinea and Liberia), Lucas Herrington (Zimbabwe), Jason Geria (Uganda), veteran forward Awer Mabil and Tete Yengi (both South Sudan) all have heritage from different parts of Africa.

"It's crazy to have us all here together from African backgrounds," Irankunda said.

Nestory Irankunda is one of the Socceroos brightest lights. (Getty Images: Luiza Moraes)

The former teen prodigy understands the stage and opportunity the World Cup presents.

Irankunda experienced the whirlwind of joining a huge club in Bayern Munich, before moving to Watford, chasing game time.

"I have my goals and my ambitions, things that I've set for myself," Irankunda said.

"That was my main focus, my main goal, to be at a World Cup with Australia and just show myself and compete against the best of the best."

Coach Tony Popovic faces a headache on whether to unleash Irankunda from the get-go against Turkey on Saturday (Sunday AEST) or deploy him off the bench as the Socceroos a