Route 26

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.