EPISODE · Jun 12, 2026 · 52 MIN
Olé, Olé, Olé! Expat Communities Celebrate World Cup Teams Playing in the Bay Area
from KQED's Forum · host KQED
Levi’s Stadium will be the site of a series of World Cup matches beginning June 13. Switzerland, Algeria, Qatar, Jordan and Australia are some of the teams that will be appearing in match ups. Though the FIFA extravaganza has had a bumpy rollout with complaints about high ticket prices and tourists opting not to come to the U.S. for matches, local expat communities are ready to cheer their home teams on. We’ll talk to hometown fans about their hopes and dreams for their teams and their lives in America. Guests: Erich Sonnberger, realtor, Intero Real Estate Services in Menlo Park; president, United Swiss Societies of Northern California Dr. Nasser "Nas" Mohamed, physician and founder, Osra Medical; LGBTQ activist and the 2023 Grand Marshal for the SF Pride Parade Salvador Rodriguez, journalist; his Substack "The 2026 Dispatch" is focused on the World Cup Mounir Bhaloul, co-founder and co-owner, KAYMA, an Algerian restaurant Melissa Zajic, executive director, Australian American Chamber of Commerce Charlie Marji, president, Jordanian American Association of San Francisco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Levi’s Stadium will be the site of a series of World Cup matches beginning June 13. Switzerland, Algeria, Qatar, Jordan and Australia are some of the teams that will be appearing in match ups. Though the FIFA extravaganza has had a bumpy rollout with complaints about high ticket prices and tourists opting not to come to the U.S. for matches, local expat communities are ready to cheer their home teams on. We’ll talk to hometown fans about their hopes and dreams for their teams and their lives in America. Guests: Erich Sonnberger, realtor, Intero Real Estate Services in Menlo Park; president, United Swiss Societies of Northern California Dr. Nasser "Nas" Mohamed, physician and founder, Osra Medical; LGBTQ activist and the 2023 Grand Marshal for the SF Pride Parade Salvador Rodriguez, journalist; his Substack "The 2026 Dispatch" is focused on the World Cup Mounir Bhaloul, co-founder and co-owner, KAYMA, an Algerian restaurant Melissa Zajic, executive director, Australian American Chamber of Commerce Charlie Marji, president, Jordanian American Association of San Francisco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Olé, Olé, Olé! Expat Communities Celebrate World Cup Teams Playing in the Bay Area
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