I’m back, baby, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off! Double whammy.

It’s the biggest football tournament in history, with 48 teams playing across three countries.

It was perhaps the most controversial World Cup ever before it even began (one of the teams is at war with a host country, a referee was turned away at the border, and some fans are blocked from watching their own team play… you know, World Cup things).

The Socceroos open their campaign this Sunday, and we’ll have a recap for you in Monday’s newsletter. Stay hydrated – we’ll be talking football for five-and-a-half weeks (39 days!) of action.

🏉 Gold Coast Suns ruck Max Knobel has been banned for four matches after admitting to using a homophobic slur during a Victorian Football League (VFL) match against Brisbane last week. The 21-year-old, who is yet to play at AFL level, said he extends his "sincerest apologies” and “will continue to learn and educate [myself]”, while the Suns said his actions “do not align” with the club’s values. The AFL has dealt with similar incidents in recent seasons. Brisbane’s Koby Evans received a four-match ban for using a homophobic slur in a VFL match, while St Kilda’s Lance Collard was was initially suspended for nine matches before his penalty was reduced on appeal. Homophobic slurs can attract multi-match bans and mandatory Pride in Sport education programs. The incident comes during Pride Month and in the same week former NRL player Kane Evans publicly came out as gay, becoming the first male rugby league player to do so since Ian Roberts in 1995.

⛳ Golf great Phil Mickelson is no longer a member of The Farms Golf Club in San Diego after a female employee accused him of making non‑consensual and inappropriate physical contact earlier this year. Golf Digest, which verified the employee’s identity but has withheld her name to protect her privacy, reported that multiple sources said the employee immediately told the club, which confronted Mickelson and directed him to leave the course before later confirming the 55-year-old is no longer a member. Mickelson, a six-time major winner, has denied the allegations through his legal team. The club said it conducted an independent investigation and took “decisive action”. The development adds to ongoing questions about when the 43-time PGA Tour winner will return to professional golf after stepping away from competition in February to attend to a family health matter.

🏉 South Sydney and Brisbane put rivalry aside in their clash last night to honour Jai Arrow. The 30-year-old retired last month after announcing he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a progressive condition that weakens the body’s muscles and currently has no cure. Last night, the Rabbitohs wore a special all-white jersey featuring only Arrow's name. Carrying his one-year-old daughter Ayla Rae through a guard of honour, Arrow, joined by his partner Berina Colakovic, was visibly emotional as he rang the Legacy Bell before kick-off. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. Rabbitohs credited their 48-6 win over the Broncos to Arrow. You can support Fight MND here.

🏃‍♂️ Sprinter Jemma Stapleton has died in an accident while on a family holiday overseas, leaving the athletics community in mourning. The 25‑year‑old finished third in the 2025 Stawell Gift and was remembered by the Victorian Athletic League as a “valued member” whose “presence, character and contribution left a lasting impact.” A GoFundMe set up to help bring Stapleton home and support her family has already raised more than $94,000. You can support the GoFundMe here.

Talking points: The Socceroos open their campaign against Türkiye (who are ranked 22nd in the world) this Sunday at 2pm (AEST). In a rarity for a major tournament, all three of our group-stage matches will be played during Australian daytime hours. Australia is ranked 27th in the world, with its best result reaching the round of 16 in 2006 and again in 2022. Coach Tony Popovic’s 26-player squad includes 17 players set for their first World Cup. Among them are Cristian Volpato and Tete Yengi, who both debuted for Australia in last week's 1-1 friendly draw with Switzerland. Türkiye missed the 2022 World Cup and is back at the tournament for the first time since 2002. In case you weren’t hooked already, Mexico kickstarted the tournament this morning with three red cards in its 2-0 win over South Africa. Yes, three.
How to watch: Every match is live and free to watch in Australia on SBS and SBS On Demand.

Talking points: It’s a big weekend for rugby, with Round 2 of the Super Rugby Women’s season and the Super Rugby Pacific finals across the ditch. On Saturday, Fijian Drua host the Western Force, with the home side debuting Vika Nakacia in the midfield and shifting Kolora Lomani to scrumhalf as they look to spark their attack. The Force begin their season after a bye last week, naming six debutants, including Japan’s Seina Saito, while fullback Aiysha Wigley returns after almost 800 days out over an ACL injury. Sunday sees the Brumbies welcome the Waratahs to Canberra, with Wallaroos player of the year Tabua Tuinakauvadra cleared to return from injury while the Waratahs debut Edie Burke as they defend an unbeaten record against the Brumbies. Meanwhile, it’s a major weekend across the ditch, with an all-New Zealand semi-final lineup after Hurricanes overpowered the ACT Brumbies 66-12 and the Chiefs downed the Queensland Reds 46-24 last weekend. Tonight, the Chiefs host the Crusaders, while the Hurricanes face the Blues on Saturday.
How to watch: You can watch it all on Stan Sport. Scroll down for the exact times.

Talking points: Super Netball reaches its final round with milestones, farewells and finals stakes across all four games. On Saturday, the Lightning host the Thunderbirds with defender Ash Ervin marking her 50th national league match, before the Mavericks hold their annual Pride match against the Firebirds as they aim to land third on the ladder, securing a home Minor Semi Final. Sunday sees the Vixens similarly celebrate a ‘Everyone Belongs’ match against the Fever, who need a strong win to keep their own top‑three hopes alive. The round closes with the Giants and Swifts playing for the Carole Sykes Memorial Trophy, with Swifts’ Tayla Fraser set to reach 100 games while Matisse Letherbarrow hits 50. Giants defender Jane Watson is expected to return for the final match of her career.
How to watch: Fox Sports, Kayo, BINGE (Sunday matches free on Kayo Freebies).

What if that match went differently?

We've all been there after a result that stings. EA SPORTS FC™ 26's "The World's Game" update lets you go back in - 53 fully licensed national teams including Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, France, and dark horses like Cabo Verde and Uzbekistan, all in a full 48-team tournament mode.

A feature we’re loving is the Path to Glory mode, where player ratings update live alongside real tournament results. So the better someone performs out there in real life, the better they get in the game.

In FC 26, History is Playable.

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