Australia star and activist Jackson Irvine prioritising World Cup ambitions
Enormous international focus turns the World Cup into an attractive venue for demonstrations although FIFA forbids political religious and personal statements and pictures from team kit.
The Socceroos created impact before the previous World Cup in Qatar as Irvine along with fifteen other squad members expressed worries in a film regarding the conditions of migrant workers and requested the end of criminal penalties for same sex relationships in that Middle East country.
Playing for a club in Germany Irvine recalls that action on Qatar with satisfaction remarking that the team had prepared thoroughly for over half a year on those matters by consulting migrant workers global labour bodies and advocacy organisations.
"It was not simply wearing a captain's armband and declaring our views" Irvine explained to Reuters.
"We prepared thoroughly we issued our message and then upon arrival in Qatar we could concentrate on our play which resulted in our strongest performance ever at the World Cup."
Four years later major attention surrounds the World Cup jointly hosted by the United States Canada and Mexico.
Activists and NGOs have cautioned about possible human rights violations for athletes supporters and workers in the United States especially due to strict immigration enforcement and deportation efforts under the current US administration led by President Donald Trump.
Australia's national soccer players union where Irvine serves as co president has called on FIFA to take further steps to reduce risks of human rights violations.
"The players rightly expect FIFA to respect and safeguard the human rights of everyone connected with the World Cup" Professional Footballers Australia chief Beau Busch told Reuters in an emailed statement.
"So far we are not convinced that the players expectations are being fulfilled."
FIFA offered no immediate response yet president Gianni Infantino has often stated that everyone taking part in the World Cup will be welcomed at the event.
Major change in the dynamic
Although Australia's players receive complete backing from their union to voice rights issues Irvine indicated that a Qatar style protest is improbable before the upcoming World Cup since the Socceroos represent a changed group now more centred on the game itself.
"Over the last four years we have witnessed a major change in the makeup of the group. We are a much younger group now" he said.
"Particularly since I have not been actively involved over the past year I have not had the opportunity to discuss these matters with the players and understand their views on the political and social elements ahead of this tournament."
Irvine captains St Pauli based in Hamburg a club renowned for its progressive stance that matches his principles.
St Pauli players engage with local communities and frequently collaborate with NGOs on social initiatives.
Irvine has promoted awareness of homelessness in Hamburg and backs a local group providing counselling and interpreters for refugees and migrants seeking medical care.
This year he has faced other challenges succeeding in overcoming a foot injury but failing in efforts to prevent St Pauli from relegation out of the top German league.
He continues as a key player for Australia and despite his outspoken views on several topics he insists his advocacy will not distract his side at the World Cup where they face Turkey the United States and Paraguay in Group D.
"I am always seeking the right balance. Naturally I hold my personal convictions yet I will not be in the US this summer as an individual" he said.
"I am there as part of a team aiming for success and I would never act in any way to divert attention from the team's performances by acting alone."