Beyond cricket: How football is growing among South Asian communities in Australia

Background: Children play football at a local community ground. Credit: Puneet Dhingra, SBS Punjabi. Inset (L): Australia's Nishan Velupillay challenges Weston McKennie for the ball during the FIFA World Cup Group D match between Australia and the United States in Seattle on Friday, June 19, 2026. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Can football rival cricket among Australia's South Asian communities? As the 2026 FIFA World Cup captures global attention, the rise of Indian-origin Socceroo Nishan Velupillay is inspiring a new generation of young footballers from migrant backgrounds. Featuring veteran football coach Sat Sanghera and the views of Nishan Velupillay, this podcast explores football's growing popularity among South Asian communities in Australia, highlighting grassroots opportunities, the role of migrant families, and how diverse role models are encouraging more young people to embrace the sport.

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