Awer Mabil’s arduous journey to a second World Cup with CD Castellón | OneFootball

Awer Mabil became a two-time World Cup footballer on Friday. The 30-year-old CD Castellón winger played at Qatar 2022 and, in 2026, had not featured until the knockouts, El Periódico Mediterráneo reports.

He came on at the start of extra time as Australia faced Egypt. The tie went to penalties, he converted his kick, and Egypt prevailed 4-2.

Mabil arrived in Australia aged 11 through a resettlement programme after being born in a refugee camp in Kenya. His mother had fled the war in Sudan, and he grew up in hardship with his siblings.

Football was an escape. He played barefoot with balls made from plastic bags and socks, dreamed of Europe, the Champions League and a World Cup, and began to rise with Adelaide United, where he won a Cup.

With Midtjylland he won a league and a cup and played in the Champions League and Europa League. He then had spells at Kasimpasa in Türkiye, Cádiz in 2022, Sparta Prague and Grasshoppers.

For the first time, CD Castellón had World Cup representation, with Mabil for Australia and Cipenga for DR Congo, meaning both missed the promotion play-off. Cipenga, a UD Almería player from one July, played the last group game and the round of 32 against England, scoring first before England came back.

Earlier this year he extended his Castellón contract to 2028. With his brother he runs a foundation that returns to the refugee camp to support initiatives through football.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo