We're on the road to the 2026 World Cup and we're bringing you along for the journey, one story at a time. Introducing Route 26, a podcast speaking to extraordinary football lovers about their personal journeys and the World Cup moments that changed their lives. Hosted by Paolo Gallo - football coach, audio producer and football fanatic - this is more than just a podcast, this is where your 2026 World Cup journey begins.
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 SBS, and reflects on football's unique power to connect communities and shape Australia's multicultural identity. From the pitch to the commentary box, Craig explores what the World Cup has meant to him - and why football remains one of the most powerful forces for belonging, opportunity and social change.
4 Jun 2026
Akec Makur Chuot: The Road Back to Kakuma
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 time, she was free to play the game she loved. That opportunity would not only transform her relationship with football, but also set her on a path to becoming the first African woman to play professionally in the AFLW. In this episode of Route 26, Akec reflects on her journey from refugee camp to professional sport and the power of football to help us find our place in the world.
28 May 2026
Oliver Kerbler: Football as a Passport to the World
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 26, Oliver reflects on football, travel, Panini stickers, and the deeper meaning of the tournament - not just as a sporting event, but as a celebration of culture, connection, and belonging.
21 May 2026
Audra Mockus: The 5–0 that Colombia will never forget
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 beginning. Audra reflects on how the World Cup can shape your sense of identity, and why some passions have the power to keep people connected across generations, cultures, and continents - no matter where life takes you.
13 May 2026
Tony Hanna: The goal that changed everything
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, Tony's interrupted migration journey from New Jersey to Sydney, and the unforgettable World Cup moment that shaped his life
7 May 2026
Daniel Santomil: Coaching from the brain perspective
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 author of "No Brain, No Game." From the streets of Buenos Aires to coaching across the globe, Daniel shares the defining moments of his career and the life-altering incident that forced him to rethink football entirely, not just as a game of the body, but of the brain.
30 Apr 2026
Michelle Morris: A game of belonging
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 love of football evolved into work. From early memories of the game at home to carving out her voice through storytelling, she reflects on how football became a powerful way to connect: to her heritage, her community, and ultimately, herself.
22 Apr 2026
Gode Migerano: When football brings war to a standstill
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 football to unite people, even in the most difficult times.
16 Apr 2026
Yumi Oba: Japan's impact on Australian football
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 shares how football has shaped her sense of belonging. From her early memories of sport in Japan to the evolution of football across Asia, Yumi reflects on how the game became woven into her family's life-and into the fabric of who she is.
9 Apr 2026
Lloyd Owusu: The road from South London to Ghana
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 it's like to come within touching distance of the game's biggest stage, only to see it slip away in a split second. This isn't a sob story though, it's a story of resilience, identity and how life has a strange way of working out even when it doesn't go to plan.
8 Apr 2026
Route 26: The Road to the World Cup Begins
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.
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