At 18-years-old, Garang Kuol is just getting started. He’s the youngest player to ever be selected for an Australian FIFA World Cup team, and in September he signed to English Premier League team, Newcastle United. Kuol grew up in regional Victoria, and has worked his way onto an international stage that many could only dream of being on.
Kuol started out playing for Goulburn Valley Suns FC, and went on to join the Central Coast Mariners Academy when he was 16. He made his A-League debut at 17-years-old for the Central Coast Mariners in April 2022, before signing to Newcastle United.
Many athletes accredit their success to hard work, preparation and dedication. While Kuol possesses all of these qualities, he’s not one to boast about it. He attributes his success to his family—and the many hours he spent playing football with his brothers in the backyard. Indeed, football is somewhat of a family affair for the Kuol family; Kuol’s older brother Alou Kuol, 21, plays in Germany for VfB Stuttgart.
Before he departed for the World Cup, Complex AU sat down with the rising star to chat growing up in regional Victoria, how his family have shaped his journey, and what he wants the world to know about Australian football talent.
Firstly, congratulations on all your successes thus far, Garang. You’ve just signed to the Premier League and are on your way to Qatar for your first World Cup. How are you feeling?
I’m excited, dreams are coming true. I’m just excited for what the future holds.
You’re a world class athlete who grew up in regional Australia. Tell me a bit about your relationship with the place you grew up, Shepparton?
I really enjoyed living in Shepparton. There are a lot of Africans there, so I had a lot of friends, including Sudanese and other African friends. Some of my closest friends are from Shepperton, they’re like my brothers. It’s a good community, a welcoming community. I was able to play football and enjoy [life], which was always the main thing for me.
In September, you signed a contract with the English Premier League team Newcastle United. What was it like signing that contract? What were you feeling?
It was an exciting moment for me and my family. Me, my older brother Kuol, my mum and the rest of my brothers all played a big part. We discussed the deal for weeks on end. When I finally went over to Newcastle to put pen to paper, it was unreal.
What was it like being in Newcastle for the first time? What was going through your head?
It was my first time in Europe. I visited the stadium, then went to the training ground and met some of the boys. I felt excited meeting everyone, and I felt the love. In fact, on my first day, Kieran Trippier walked up to me and asked me, “Do you know a place called Shepperton?” and I told him that’s where I grew up. He then said to me, “I have a brother that plays there.” I was shocked! It’s such a small world.
Early on in your football journey, did playing football at the professional level you play at now feel like a possibility for you?
If I’m being genuinely honest, it was something I dreamt of, but I didn’t really think about it. I was going to school every day, not playing soccer every day. School was the main focus, so I wasn’t really thinking about playing professionally that much. I was playing at Goulburn Valley Suns and watching my brother Alou play professionally. It became more possible for me when I started playing in the A-League.
You’re from a family of 10—how important of a role has your family played in your success thus far?
I can’t really explain how big a part they’ve played in everything. [When I was growing up], every day we’d all be in the backyard playing soccer. I remember during the [school] holidays, we would all go to the park—me, my brothers, and other Sudanese families and play football until the sun went down. My family has played a massive role in my success.
Your older brother Alou Kuol also plays football professionally in Germany for VfB Stuttgart. How much knowledge has he imparted to you on your journey?
You know, we’ve been learning together. We grew up together, so we’ve been developing together. Me and all my brothers learnt how to play from our older brother Kuol—he’d take us to kick the ball every day. Alou would learn from Kuol, then I’d learn from Alou and Teng. In our family, there was always someone to look up to.
You’re headed to Qatar to play in the FIFA World Cup. You’re the youngest player that’s ever been selected for an Australian FIFA World Cup team. How does that make you feel? Has that realisation fully sunk in?
I try not to think about it too much. I’m there to perform well. Being selected was a proud moment to reflect on how quickly I’ve been able to develop as a player—and that’s thanks to the coaches around me and my family. Playing [football] with my older brothers every day, back when I was 10-years-old versing 16-20-year-olds—I think played a big part in why I am where I am now.
Do you have any fond memories of watching the FIFA World Cup growing up?
Yeah, the 2014 and 2018 World Cups were the ones I started watching. But before that I remember we had a VHS tape, a Socceroos tape from the 2006 World Cup that me and my brothers used to watch.
What a moment to reflect on. Now you’re a Socceroo!
It’s what I’ve dreamt of. To have the opportunity to play in the FIFA World Cup—it’s unreal.
I think your recent success here in Australia is a message to the world about the talent that’s brewing here. On behalf of the Australians that are striving to make their dreams come true—particularly African Australians, what do you want the world to know about Australia?
I’m proud to represent this country—the country I’ve grown up in my whole life—and make my family proud. It’s a beautiful, open country. Australia produces great players—plenty of great players have come before me. Australia isn’t short on quality.
