Mabil hits back at Hanson’s ‘monoculture’ claim after Socceroos’ World Cup exit

Socceroos winger Awer Mabil has dismissed as “bullshit” a claim by Australian senator Pauline Hanson that the national football team represents a monocultural Australia, insisting the squad stands for the country’s diversity rather than against it.

Mabil made the comments after touching down in Adelaide on Monday, having returned home following Australia’s exit from the World Cup. The Socceroos were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Egypt in the last 32 of the tournament.

Asked by reporters about suggestions that Australia was not a genuinely multicultural nation, Mabil was blunt in his response, saying “it’s just all bullshit,” according to the Australian Associated Press.

‘We represent Australia at the biggest stage’

The winger, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to South Sudanese parents before migrating to Australia as a child, said the squad had not allowed itself to be distracted despite being drawn into a political row during the tournament.

“We know what we represent. We represent Australia at the biggest stage, and Australia… is the best country in the world, and the Socceroos is the best representation of that,” Mabil told reporters at Adelaide airport, as reported by AAP.

“If anybody’s trying to divide that, then they’re probably not Australian themselves, in a sense, respectfully. Because Australia is very inclusive, includes everybody. That’s what the Socceroos is.”

Mabil, who became an Australian citizen after arriving in the country as a young boy, was named Young Australian of the Year in 2023 in recognition of his charity work supporting refugee communities through health and education initiatives.

Hanson’s comments followed Socceroos’ diversity video

The row stems from remarks made by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson at the National Press Club in June, in which she argued that multiculturalism had failed in Australia. Hanson pointed to the Socceroos as evidence for her own vision of the country.

“The Socceroos, in fact, represent my vision of a… monocultural Australia,” Senator Hanson said.

Earlier in the tournament, the Socceroos had released a video message celebrating their diverse heritage and migrant backgrounds. Veteran midfielder Jackson Irvine said at the time: “The Socceroos aren’t just a team, we are a reflection of modern Australia.”

Mabil reinforced that message on his return home, describing multiculturalism as a source of strength within the squad rather than a division to be exploited.

“You don’t pick where you’re born, you don’t pick the colour of your skin, you pick to be a good human being. That’s a choice,” he said.

“Some people, they choose to go against being good, then that’s their own problem. Then they’re missing out on what others can bring, and that’s what multicultural does. It brings other flavours to the table instead of just one thing.”

Read more: World Cup 2026: Every nation eliminated so far, including Scotland