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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.