Route 26

In the final episode of Route 26, Craig Foster reflects on a journey that has taken him from regional Australia to the world stage with the Socceroos, to becoming one of the country's most influential voices in football. Craig revisits Australia's historic qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, shares memories of working alongside football broadcasting pioneers Les Murray and Johnny Warren at...

For Akec Makur Chuot, football was everywhere growing up in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. There was just one catch: girls weren't allowed to play. From carrying her brothers' boots to gathering with family to watch the World Cup, football became woven into Akec's life long before she ever had the chance to step onto the field herself. Everything changed when she arrived in Australia. For the first...

From a small town in Germany to stadiums across the globe, Oliver Kerbler’s connection to the World Cup began long before he ever boarded a plane. As a child, his grandfather would travel for hours with videotapes in hand so nine-year-old Ollie would never miss a match. Years later, that same passion grew into a lifelong tradition - chasing the World Cup around the globe. In this episode of Route...

Born in Colombia to Lithuanian parents, Audra Mockus grew up between cultures and traditions, in a country where football is woven into everyday life. Today on Route 26, we hear from this Colombian football fan - from singing Notti Magiche during Italia ’90 to celebrating Colombia’s unforgettable 5–0 victory over Argentina, before eventually moving to Australia in search of safety and a new beginn...

In 1989, a single qualifying goal changed the life of a young Egyptian boy - and altered the course of a nation’s football dreams. This week, football fanatic and SBS Arabic video producer, Tony Hanna, shares how his journey from Egypt to Australia is a lot like a good football match. From strategic decisions to life-altering surprises, we hear what it's like growing up in football-obsessed Egypt,...

In 1986, Argentina was still recovering from one of the darkest chapters in its history. For an entire nation, the World Cup became more than a tournament - it became a symbol of hope. As the world watched Diego Maradona transform a single match into football history, a young boy in Buenos Aires glimpsed what his own future might hold. Today we hear from Daniel Santomil, former football coach and...

Born in Australia to a Peruvian father and Chilean mother, Michelle Morris grew up navigating cultures and football loyalties that didn’t always align. Moments like the 2018 World Cup clash between Peru and Australia brought those tensions to a head, leaving her caught between pride and heartbreak. In this episode of Route 26, we hear from sports content creator Michelle Morris. She shares how her...

What if a football match could pause a war, even if for just 90 minutes? In this episode of Route 26, we sit down with SBS Swahili's Gode Migerano. Growing up between Congo and Burundi during years of civil conflict, Gode shares his memories from kicking handmade balls barefoot to experiencing the electric atmosphere of the World Cup in South Africa. It's a story that reminds us of the power of fo...

Australia’s move from Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 was seen as a strategic decision on the pitch. But for many communities across the country, it marked the beginning of a deeper connection with the game. Today we hear from Yumi Oba, Executive Producer of SBS Japanese, lifelong football fan and devoted soccer mum. Yumi talks about her journey from Japan to Australia and shar...

With more than 200 goals scored, a place in the Brentford Hall of Fame and a football career spanning over 15 years, Lloyd Owusu has racked up a lifetime of achievements. But his achievements defied all odds - a child of Ghanaian migrants growing up in some of South London's toughest neighbourhoods. In the first episode of Route 26, we hear from former footballer Lloyd Owusu as he reflects on what...

Grab your bags, we're hitting Route 26! A brand new podcast from SBS Audio, Route 26 takes you on a journey through the lives of football fanatics — one World Cup story at a time. Hear from some of the game's most extraordinary fans: Llyod Owusu, Akec Makur Chuot, Craig Foster and many more — as they share the World Cup moments that changed their lives.