Lucas Neill of the Socceroos, actor John Travolta, John Aloisi and Josip Skoko of the Socceroos celebrate in the changing rooms after Australia's victory. Getty Images

SI: How did you end up in the locker room of the Australian national soccer team after they defeated Uruguay to qualify for the 2006 World Cup?

Travolta: I'm the world ambassador for Quantas Airways and they sponsor the Socceroos. My wife Kelly and I were there to give them support. As soon we walked in the locker room afterward they started singing You're The One That I Want' from Grease. Then [Defender] Lucas Neill came up to me and said, This is the most exciting day of my life. I said, 'You know, it is. Going to World Cup has to be!' He said, No, man, meeting John Travolta.' (laughs). That was pretty flattering.

SI: After the team qualified for the World Cup, you offered to fly them to Germany for the event. What happened?

Travolta: Quantas for various reasons did not want me to fly them. I think it was political airline type things. It wasn't the team. They loved the team and still sponsor them. I think the airline didn't want to look extravagant was the point, and I think it would have looked that way to have me flying them over. So I sent video instead and they played it on the plane. They had an amazing run. I was very proud of them and I felt personally involved.

SI: Did you play sports at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, N.J.?

Travolta: I played football in the ninth and 10th grade. I looked a lot like Joe Namath, so I think my looks got me there more than my abilities.

SI: Are you aware that Gabe Kaplan has become one of the world's most foremost experts on poker?

Travolta: He was always a professional gambler even in our day [on Welcome Back Kotter]. It's not a surprise. It was his passion. Baseball his is other passion.