Born in Adelaide and of South Sudanese heritage, Tete Yengi’s connection to football started early. Alongside his older brother Kusini, he spent part of his childhood in South Sudan, where the game looked very different to the professional stages he now steps onto.
Yengi’s journey began to take shape through the local football pathway. From the Football SA National Training Centre program, Croydon Kings and Adelaide Comets, he developed into a powerful, athletic striker with a presence that made him difficult to ignore.
At Croydon FC, there is enormous pride in seeing another former junior reach the world stage.
“Both Mohamed and Tete are inspirational for the whole community, in particular the African community. Kids want to be like them. Kids look up to them. This is a wonderful thing for everyone in football. As a club, and a family, we wish Mo and Tete all the very best this tournament, we can’t wait to cheer on from Regency Park!”
After impressing with Adelaide Comets in the RAA NPLSA, Yengi earned his first professional opportunity with Newcastle Jets ahead of the 2020/21 A-League season.
At the time, Yengi described the move as “a huge opportunity” and said playing in the A-League had been a dream of his since he was young.
In 2021, Yengi moved overseas, joining English club Ipswich Town. From there, his career became one of movement, patience and growth. There were loan spells in Finland with VPS and KuPS, time in England with Northampton Town, and later a permanent move to Livingston in Scotland.
At Livingston, Yengi produced some important moments in big games. During the club’s promotion campaign, he scored in the SPFL Trust Trophy final and again in the Premiership play-off final, helping Livingston return to Scotland’s top flight.
When he moved on loan to Japanese J1 League side FC Machida Zelvia in January 2026, Livingston manager David Martindale reflected on Yengi’s development, saying the player who had arrived two years earlier had become “a much better footballer and an even better person.”
That move to Japan proved to be a major turning point.
With Machida Zelvia, Yengi continued to build momentum. He featured in the J1 League and on the continental stage, playing an important role in the club’s run to the AFC Champions League Elite final.
At a time when Australia’s attacking options were being closely watched ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Yengi’s form and physical profile made him difficult to overlook.
After years of working his way through Australia, England, Finland, Scotland and Japan, Yengi was named in the CommBank Socceroos final 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“It’s crazy,” Yengi said after his selection. “I don’t know if it’s really sunk in yet.”
For Yengi, the timing made the moment even more remarkable. His first Socceroos call-up did not come in a regular international window or during a long qualifying campaign. It came at the biggest tournament in world football.
“It’s amazing that my first call-up has come at a World Cup,” he said.
In Australia’s final World Cup warm-up match against Switzerland, Yengi made his Socceroos debut and scored, marking his first appearance in green and gold with a goal.
As part of a strong South Australian contingent in the 2026 Socceroos squad, Yengi’s selection is another reminder of the talent being developed in this state. Alongside players such as Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure, Nestory Irankunda and Paul Izzo, his presence reflects the strength and diversity of South Australian football.
For Croydon FC, Adelaide Comets, the Football SA pathway and every young player watching from a local pitch, Tete Yengi’s journey shows that there is no single way to reach the top.
Now, as he steps onto the world stage with the Socceroos, he carries more than the number on his back.
He carries the story of a family, a community and a football journey that began in South Australia and is still being written.