SBS has launched an expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 companion line-up featuring documentaries, comedy, podcasts and food programming.
With one month until the FIFA World Cup 2026 begins, SBS has revealed a broad slate of entertainment, documentary, food and cultural programming designed to accompany its exclusive tournament coverage.
Launching from Thursday, 11 June, the programming will roll out across SBS, SBS On Demand, SBS Sport YouTube and SBS Audio throughout the tournament.
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The line-up features Australian personalities including Anthony LaPaglia, Adam Liaw, Marc Fennell, Santo Cilauro and Ed Kavalee, with SBS positioning the content as an extension of the tournament experience beyond the matches themselves.
Cup Fever!
From Friday, 12 June, Cup Fever! will stream nightly on SBS On Demand and SBS Sport YouTube, with encore screenings on SBS VICELAND.
Hosted by Santo Cilauro and Ed Kavalee, the comedy-focused vodcast will recap daily World Cup moments, covering major stories, standout performances and lighter moments from the tournament.
Produced by Working Dog Productions, the half-hour episodes will be filmed in front of a live audience and include appearances from football personalities, comedians and emerging talent.
Wogball: Australia’s Beautiful Game
Premiering on Wednesday, 24 June via SBS On Demand, Wogball: Australia’s Beautiful Game is presented by Anthony LaPaglia and explores football’s role in Australia’s multicultural identity.
The documentary examines how the sport developed despite challenges including racism during the era of the White Australia Policy, media opposition and competition from rival football codes.
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Joining LaPaglia are contributors including Vince Colosimo, Craig Foster, Matt Okine, John Safran, Mel Buttle, Craig Johnston, Servet Uzunlar, Moya Dodd and Melissa Barbieri.
The program is produced by CJZ for SBS, with funding support from Screen Australia, Screen NSW and distribution handled locally by SBS.
Adam Liaw’s North American Fan Feasts
From Monday, 6 July, Adam Liaw will headline a new six-part food and travel series across SBS and SBS On Demand.
The series follows Liaw through host nations Canada, Mexico and the United States, exploring football fan culture and regional cuisine connected to the tournament.
Locations featured include Mexico City, San Francisco and Vancouver, with each episode also including two recipes viewers can recreate at home.
The series is produced by i8 Studio for SBS.
Mastermind – World Cup Special
A special football-themed edition of Mastermind will air on Thursday, 11 June across SBS and SBS On Demand.
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Hosted by Marc Fennell, the episode will see four contestants compete on World Cup-related specialist subjects ranging from legendary players to historic tournaments.
The special is produced by BBC Studios Australia.
The Greatest Show on Earth
Already available on SBS VICELAND, SBS On Demand and SBS Sport YouTube, the 12-part vodcast series is hosted by Claudio Fabiano and Adamo De Nigris.
The series examines each group in the upcoming World Cup, with guests including former international footballers Mitch Duke, Alex Brosque, Juan Mata and current Iraq head coach Graham Arnold.
New episodes will continue weekly until the tournament begins on 12 June (AEDT).
Beautiful Game Changers
Launching from Friday, 15 May on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, the 12-part mini-documentary series from SBS Audio focuses on football’s social and cultural impact.
The series highlights stories connected to Indigenous representation, women’s participation, refugee experiences, multicultural clubs, international student networks and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Episodes will also appear across SBS Australia’s social media channels.
Route 26
Available now on SBS Audio, the ten-episode podcast is hosted by Paolo Gallo and features conversations with football supporters about their personal journeys and World Cup memories.
The World Cup, But Not Really
Launching from Tuesday, 12 May on SBS Audio, the 14-episode podcast series focuses on the broader culture surrounding football, including music, superstitions, emotions and unusual stories linked to the global tournament.
SBS Kick Off
Running from Monday, 1 June until Friday, 31 July on SBS Audio and SBS On Demand, the pop-up music station will feature football songs, stadium anthems and fan favourites connected to the world game.
Kathryn Fink, SBS Head of Television, said:
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the world’s most powerful shared experiences, and SBS is uniquely placed to tell those stories.
“Our accompanying line-up brings together some of Australia’s most recognisable talent to give audiences more ways to connect with the tournament than ever before.”
David Hua, SBS Director of Audio and Language Content, said:
“SBS and our multicultural communities have popularised football in Australia over the last 40 years, to the extent that the FIFA World Cup is now one of the events that brings Australians together.
“SBS Audio broadcasts in 60-plus languages, but our audience all speak football, so we want to celebrate the deeper cultural connections created by the World Cup, which go well beyond rivalries and match day moments.
“As well as covering every thrilling moment of the tournament, we’re going to Australia’s football heartland to find extraordinary stories from lovers of the world game and shine a light on the role that football plays in building communities.”
The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday, 12 June (AEST), with SBS broadcasting all 104 matches live and free across SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand. Additional companion programming launches from Thursday, 11 June across SBS platforms.
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