The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun.  

Mexico claimed victory over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament – scoring a goal in each half to win the match 2-nil. 

Next up, South Korea and the Czech Republic are taking the centre stage at Guadalajara Stadium. 

The current favourites to win the Cup are Spain, France, Brazil, and England, with Argentina close behind. 

But Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Francesca Rudkin there are some underdogs worth keeping an eye on, such as Japan and Ecuador.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun. &nbsp;
Mexico claimed victory over South Africa in the opening match of the tournament – scoring a goal in each half to win the match 2-nil.&nbsp;
Next up, South Korea and the Czech Republic are taking the centre stage at Guadalajara Stadium.&nbsp;
The current favourites to win the Cup are Spain, France, Brazil, and England, with Argentina close behind.&nbsp;
But Weekend Sport Host Jason Pine told Francesca Rudkin there are some underdogs worth keeping an eye on, such as Japan and Ecuador. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Jason Pine: Weekend Sport Host on the FIFA World Cup kicking off for 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/af18561a-d0c6-4d0b-aa6d-b467000234da/transcript

Johns Hopkins foreign policy analyst Jeffrey Pryce is sceptical of US President Donald Trump’s claim that an agreement in the Middle East is approved and ready to be signed. 

Speaking to Francesca Rudkin, Pryce pointed to the extensive demands in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding from several weeks ago, which did not progress. 

That MoU had included a permanent ceasefire, likely including Lebanon; the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and removal of the US naval blockade; and the beginning of nuclear negotiations, possibly including progress on unfreezing Iranian assets or lifting sanctions on Iran.  

There was also a push for the Gulf states to sign the Abraham Accords – all of which was “a lot to put into an agreement”. 

Pryce did agree with Trump that the Iranian decision-making progress could be very extended. 

“Things have to be brought up to the Supreme Leader, who is by all accounts severely injured, and they have a sort of a long, painstaking process of decision making. So it's possible that we're getting closer to a deal.” 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Johns Hopkins foreign policy analyst Jeffrey Pryce is sceptical of US President Donald Trump’s claim that an agreement in the Middle East is approved and ready to be signed.&nbsp;
Speaking to Francesca Rudkin, Pryce pointed to the extensive demands in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding from several weeks ago, which did not progress.&nbsp;
That MoU had included a permanent ceasefire, likely including Lebanon; the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and removal of the US naval blockade; and the beginning of nuclear negotiations, possibly including progress on unfreezing Iranian assets or lifting sanctions on Iran. &nbsp;
There was also a push for the Gulf states to sign the Abraham Accords – all of which was “a lot to put into an agreement”.&nbsp;
Pryce did agree with Trump that the Iranian decision-making progress could be very extended.&nbsp;
“Things have to be brought up to the Supreme Leader, who is by all accounts severely injured, and they have a sort of a long, painstaking process of decision making. So it's possible that we're getting closer to a deal.”&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Jeffrey Price: Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Analyst on the latest developments between the US and Iran

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/73695d47-f56d-495a-bd3c-b4660186fb3b/transcript

The ACT Party isn't saying how it'll pay for a major rural policing policy, but says it'll be a better use of taxpayer money than current spending.  

It's boosting rural patrols and expanding 111 texting for farmers in poor mobile coverage. 

Rural spokesperson Andrew Hoggard told Francesca Rudkin the plan requires an additional 182 officers in rural areas. 

He says it would cost up to $45 million in the first year and about $30 million after that. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The ACT Party isn't saying how it'll pay for a major rural policing policy, but says it'll be a better use of taxpayer money than current spending. &nbsp;
It's boosting rural patrols and expanding 111 texting for farmers in poor mobile coverage.&nbsp;
Rural spokesperson Andrew Hoggard told Francesca Rudkin the plan requires an additional 182 officers in rural areas.&nbsp;
He says it would cost up to $45 million in the first year and about $30 million after that.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Andrew Hoggard: ACT's Rural Spokesperson on their policy that would increase rural policing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c77d7a75-8783-4adb-a8c8-b46601783a50/transcript

Another member of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet has jumped ship, with Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey the latest to go. 

He's the sixth minister to resign in the past month. 

Healey's accusing the Prime Minister of putting the UK at risk, with a planned defence spending uplift of just 0.08% of GDP. 

UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin that Healey's suggesting it won't provide the military equipment needed in a dangerous world. 

He says Starmer's acknowledged Healey's comments but says he doesn't agree - but also hasn't found anyone to replace him yet. 

LISTEN ABOVE

Another member of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet has jumped ship, with Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey the latest to go.&nbsp;
He's the sixth minister to resign in the past month.&nbsp;
Healey's accusing the Prime Minister of putting the UK at risk, with a planned defence spending uplift of just 0.08% of GDP.&nbsp;
UK Correspondent Vincent McAviney told Francesca Rudkin that Healey's suggesting it won't provide the military equipment needed in a dangerous world.&nbsp;
He says Starmer's acknowledged Healey's comments but says he doesn't agree - but also hasn't found anyone to replace him yet.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Vincent McAviney: UK Correspondent on John Healey's resignation as Defence Secretary

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7d3bdae4-f3b5-45b0-a164-b466012ecae0/transcript

Jason Pine: Weekend Sport Host on the FIFA World Cup kicking off for 2026

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