Let’s kick today’s newsletter off with a game of ‘Two Truths and a Lie’ from recent sport news.

One of those didn't happen. The answer is at the bottom of the 2-minute section.

5
The number of times Australia has made the final of the Women’s Asian Cup. The Matildas advanced to their fifth Asian Cup final last night after defeating defending champions China 2-1 in the semi-final. Captain Sam Kerr scored the match-winning goal in the second half. Australia will play the winner of tonight’s semi-final between South Korea and Japan. 

"The vision itself is new to us, but those two boys have taken responsibility for their behaviour, which they were not proud of."
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on Nine newspapers’ release of footage of players Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald being arrested for climbing a scissor lift in the U.S. state of Arizona last year. 

‘Sinners’ director Ryan Coogler, whose film won four Oscars this week, was once a college football player. Coogler was a wide receiver for the Sacramento State Hornets from 2004 to 2008, scoring six touchdowns.

🏉 Collingwood legend Scott Pendlebury has avoided the first suspension of his 21-year AFL career, with the tribunal downgrading a one-match ban to a $3,000 fine. Pendlebury was found guilty of rough conduct in a collision with Adelaide’s Josh Worrell, but was cleared due to “exceptional and compelling circumstances”. The 427-game veteran, who is closing in on the all-time games record (432), has never previously been suspended.

⚽️ Morocco has been declared the Africa Cup of Nations champions after Senegal were stripped of the title following a successful appeal. Senegal had originally won the final 1-0 after extra time, but briefly walked off in protest over a late penalty decision. CAF’s Appeal Board ruled the action constituted a forfeit under tournament rules, overturning the result to a 3-0 win for Morocco. Senegal is set to challenge the decision.

🏀 The Australian Opals have completed a perfect 5-0 run at a FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying competition, finishing with an 82-76 win over Canada in Istanbul. Sami Whitcomb starred with 23 points, while Isobel Borlase and Alanna Smith were also standout contributors. The Opals had already qualified after winning the Asian Cup, but the campaign provided valuable preparation ahead of September’s World Cup in Berlin and will determine their seeding.

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 NBL MVP Bryce Cotton has delivered when it mattered most, powering the Adelaide 36ers into their first NBL grand final in eight years with a dominant Game 3 performance to help down the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Here’s what to know. 

The 36ers defeated South East Melbourne Phoenix 108-96 in the deciding game of their semi-final series, with Cotton leading the way with 38 points. 

The star guard averaged more than 36 points across the series, underlining his impact since joining Adelaide before the beginning of this season. Captain Dejan Vasiljevic also stepped up with 27 points, as the 36ers controlled the game early and never let the Phoenix fully recover.

Adelaide now advances to a best-of-five Championship Series against the Sydney Kings, with Game 1 set to tip off in Sydney on Saturday. The Kings, who finished the season on top of the ladder, beat the Perth Wildcats 2-0 in their semi-final playoff series. 

The 36ers will be chasing their second title after winning their first in 2002. The Kings are five-time NBL champions and have also had more recent finals success, winning consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023.  

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A week after Iran signalled it may boycott the men’s World Cup, FIFA has rejected the team’s request to move its group stage matches from the U.S. to Mexico.

The U.S, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the tournament, which begins in June.

Iran asked FIFA to relocate its matches, citing safety risks for players and staff.

Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj said in a post to X: "When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America."

It request follows comments from U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, who said the team would be welcome but that it may not be "appropriate… for their own life and safety."

Mexico appeared open to hosting. President Claudia Sheinbaum said at a press conference her country was willing, noting it "maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world."

FIFA ended the speculation quickly, with a spokesperson saying: “FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”

Iran is in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, with matches at SoFi Stadium in LA and Lumen Field in Seattle.

Iran remains qualified and is still scheduled to compete when the tournament kicks off on 11 June.

If Iran withdraws, FIFA holds sole authority to name a replacement, with Iraq and the UAE the leading candidates.

ANSWER: An Italian football referee did NOT have to halt play because a drone delivering pizza got stuck in the goal net. Was that too easy? Let me know.