His story also carries a distinctly Dutch flavour.
Jacco Bos grew up supporting Feyenoord before moving to Australia after a backpacking trip in 1997, where he met Jordan’s mother Sandra.
A childhood photograph of Jordan wearing Feyenoord’s famous red-and-white shirt has since become popular among supporters. Years later, he is living out the dream his father once imagined, starring for the club he grew up watching from the other side of the world.
Bos’ next challenge comes against the United States in Friday’s Group D encounter, where he could find himself up against a familiar face.
USA defender Sergino Dest, another player who could have represented the Netherlands internationally, is at PSV Eindhoven – one of Feyenoord’s fellow members of the Dutch ‘big three’ – and knows exactly what Bos can do in open space.
Usually deployed higher up the pitch for the USMNT despite being a full-back by trade, Dest could find himself directly matched against Bos on Australia’s left flank.
A strong performance against the co-hosts would further enhance Bos’ growing reputation, with Premier League clubs monitoring his progress.
The Australian, though, has repeatedly stressed he is in no rush to leave Rotterdam and younger brother Kasey has joined city rivals Excelsior on loan from Mainz, meaning the pair will spend next season living and playing a few kilometres apart.
For now, Bos is where he wants to be. But the fastest player at this year’s World Cup is rapidly showing why he can make great strides on the game’s biggest stage.
