The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off! It marks the biggest football tournament in history, with 48 teams playing across three countries. But before a single ball has been kicked, this might already be the most controversial World Cup ever.

One of the teams competing is at war with the host country. A referee was turned away at the border. And fans are being blocked from watching their own team play.

On today’s podcast we’re going to break down everything you need to know about this year’s edition of the FIFA World Cup.

Sign up to the TDA Sports Newsletter here.

Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Orla Maher
Video Editor: Rosa Bowden

Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.

The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

Want more from TDA?
Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter
Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel

Have feedback for us?
We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off! It marks the biggest football tournament in history, with 48 teams playing across three countries. But before a single ball has been kicked, this might already be the most controversial World Cup ever.
One of the teams competing is at war with the host country. A referee was turned away at the border. And fans are being blocked from watching their own team play.
On today&rsquo;s podcast we&rsquo;re going to break down everything you need to know about this year&rsquo;s edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Sign up to the TDA Sports Newsletter <a href="https://sport.thedailyaus.com.au/subscribe">here</a>.
Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Orla Maher Video Editor: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click &lsquo;follow&rsquo; on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.
The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.
Want more from TDA? <a href="https://thedailyaus.com.au/newsletter/">Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyaus">Subscribe to The Daily Aus&rsquo; YouTube Channel</a>
Have feedback for us? We&rsquo;re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you&rsquo;ve got feedback, we&rsquo;re all ears.&nbsp;<a href="https://thedailyaus.typeform.com/to/D0EhJI4S">Tell us here</a>.

This is a daily news podcast for young people in Australia. Join The Daily Aus team every weekday morning as we cover the news in your language. We’re a newsroom of young journalists, delivering news for young people.

TDA is completely independent. We are not owned by any larger media company.

This is a daily news podcast that breaks down issues important to young people in Australia.

The Daily Aus

The World Cup controversies, explained

Today's headlines include: 
A wide-ranging review has found a culture of sexual harassment in the NSW police force.
The U.S. has launched further strikes on Iran, with an Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) chief vowing to “turn the region into hell” for the U.S.
Anti-immigration riots in Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast have continued for a second night.
And today’s good news: English Premier League side Arsenal has donated players’ old socks to a donkey and horse sanctuary.

Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Elliot Lawry
Producer: Rosa Bowden

Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.

The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

Want more from TDA?
Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter
Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel

Have feedback for us?
We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.

Today's headlines include:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">A wide-ranging review has found a culture of sexual harassment in the NSW police force.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The U.S. has launched further strikes on Iran, with an Islamic Republic Guard Corps (IRGC) chief vowing to &ldquo;turn the region into hell&rdquo; for the U.S.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Anti-immigration riots in Northern Ireland&rsquo;s capital Belfast have continued for a second night.</li>
<li aria-level="1">And today&rsquo;s good news: English Premier League side Arsenal has donated players&rsquo; old socks to a donkey and horse sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
Hosts: Lucy Tassell and Elliot Lawry Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click &lsquo;follow&rsquo; on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.
The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.
Want more from TDA? <a href="https://thedailyaus.com.au/newsletter/">Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyaus">Subscribe to The Daily Aus&rsquo; YouTube Channel</a>
Have feedback for us? We&rsquo;re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you&rsquo;ve got feedback, we&rsquo;re all ears.&nbsp;<a href="https://thedailyaus.typeform.com/to/D0EhJI4S">Tell us here</a>.

Headlines: NSW Police force review finds widespread harassment

Listen to The Mirror on Spotify - episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4
Listen to The Mirror on Apple Podcasts - episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4

A billboard truck has been spotted driving around Melbourne with the slogan "Ditch the Witch" next to an image of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

The campaign has been condemned across the political spectrum, reviving a slogan that was used against Australia's first female prime minister more than fifteen years ago.

On today's podcast, we're breaking down who's behind it, what it means for Victorian politics, and what Julia Gillard had to say about the return of “Ditch the Witch”.

Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimons
Producer: Orla Maher
Video Editor: Rosa Bowden

Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.

The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

Want more from TDA?
Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter
Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel

Have feedback for us?
We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.

Listen to The Mirror on Spotify - <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3jq2tmNlsZcHWqLTNXpvcF?si=3wkG0utoRWKOC6jiWtQoDw">episode 1</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zCkOpTa8izmFookJwJRGM?si=b5a2a1838e1c4afa">episode 2</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HoPDH3rhYERZnGr9aFmmw?si=ad0020e744694ce1">episode 3</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NxHXCnLgil510xSOdeNEh?si=3ccc192540944e33">episode 4</a> Listen to The Mirror on Apple Podcasts -&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-mirror-01-misogyny-every-day-in-every-way/id1648842924?i=1000590087113">episode 1</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-mirror-02-not-everything-not-nothing/id1648842924?i=1000590087112">episode 2</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-mirror-03-a-rising-tide/id1648842924?i=1000590087251">episode 3</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-mirror-04-a-better-standard/id1648842924?i=1000590087250">episode 4</a>
A billboard truck has been spotted driving around Melbourne with the slogan "Ditch the Witch" next to an image of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
The campaign has been condemned across the political spectrum, reviving a slogan that was used against Australia's first female prime minister more than fifteen years ago.
On today's podcast, we're breaking down who's behind it, what it means for Victorian politics, and what Julia Gillard had to say about the return of &ldquo;Ditch the Witch&rdquo;.
Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimons Producer: Orla Maher Video Editor: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click &lsquo;follow&rsquo; on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.
The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.
Want more from TDA? <a href="https://thedailyaus.com.au/newsletter/">Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyaus">Subscribe to The Daily Aus&rsquo; YouTube Channel</a>
Have feedback for us? We&rsquo;re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you&rsquo;ve got feedback, we&rsquo;re all ears.&nbsp;<a href="https://thedailyaus.typeform.com/to/D0EhJI4S">Tell us here</a>.

Why 'Ditch the Witch' is back in politics

Today's headlines include: 
The accused Bondi terrorist has been charged with 19 further offences, adding to his 15 existing murder charges and 40 counts of attempted murder.
Thousands of people have turned out to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to farewell AFL legend and MND advocate Neale Daniher. 
Iran has confirmed it carried out attacks against a U.S. base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf, in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz.
And today’s good news: An orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey has been released into the wild in north Queensland after a 2,000km round-trip rehabilitation journey.

Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Lucy Tassell
Producer: Rosa Bowden

Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.

The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.

Want more from TDA?
Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter
Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel

Have feedback for us?
We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.

Today's headlines include:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The accused Bondi terrorist has been charged with 19 further offences, adding to his 15 existing murder charges and 40 counts of attempted murder.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Thousands of people have turned out to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to farewell AFL legend and MND advocate Neale Daniher.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Iran has confirmed it carried out attacks against a U.S. base in Jordan and 21 other targets in the Gulf, in retaliation for American strikes around the Strait of Hormuz.</li>
<li aria-level="1">And today&rsquo;s good news: An orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroo joey has been released into the wild in north Queensland after a 2,000km round-trip rehabilitation journey.</li>
</ul>
Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Lucy Tassell Producer: Rosa Bowden
Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click &lsquo;follow&rsquo; on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful.
The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent.
Want more from TDA? <a href="https://thedailyaus.com.au/newsletter/">Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thedailyaus">Subscribe to The Daily Aus&rsquo; YouTube Channel</a>
Have feedback for us? We&rsquo;re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you&rsquo;ve got feedback, we&rsquo;re all ears.&nbsp;<a href="https://thedailyaus.typeform.com/to/D0EhJI4S">Tell us here</a>.

The World Cup controversies, explained

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