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Deniz Undav’s World Cup success for Germany lifts Yazidi and Kurdish pride
By Hogir Al Abdo, Stella Martany, Ciaran Fahey And James Ellingworth, Associated Pr at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
Deniz Undav, one of the surprise stars of this World Cup, is playing for powerhouse Germany. Yet with his Yazidi and Kurdish heritage, the 29-year-old striker is representing two communities on the global stage with no realistic chance of having World Cup teams of their own.After entering as a su...
Key takeaway Yet with his Yazidi and Kurdish heritage, the 29-year-old striker is representing two communities on the global stage with no realistic chance of having World Cup teams of their own.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own Kurdish and Yazidi communities are likely taking notice of Deniz Undav's World Cup success, as the city is home to a diverse population of refugees and immigrants from the Middle East. The local Kurdish community has been actively engaged in cultural and social events, and Undav's achievement may inspire a new generation of young athletes in the area. With a significant number of Yazidis living in Germany, it's possible that some have family ties or connections to San Antonio, further amplifying the local interest in Undav's story. As the city continues to grow and diversify, stories like Undav's can help foster greater understanding and appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of its residents. The local response to Undav's success may also reflect the city's long history of welcoming and supporting refugees, including those from Iraq and Syria.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Deniz Undav, one of the surprise stars of this World Cup, is playing for powerhouse Germany. Yet with his Yazidi and Kurdish heritage, the 29-year-old striker is representing two communities on the global stage with no realistic chance of having World Cup teams of their own.After entering as a su...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Hogir Al Abdo, Stella Martany, Ciaran Fahey And James Ellingworth, Associated Pr at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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