SPORTS

SYDNEY, Australia — Australian soccer has produced a remarkable array of talent over the decades, from trailblazers who put the sport on the map Down Under to modern stars who excelled in Europe's top leagues and led the Socceroos to historic World Cup moments.

SYDNEY, Australia — The Australian men's national soccer team, the Socceroos, has already punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, finishing second in their Asian Football Confederation third-round qualifying group behind Japan to claim direct entry into the expanded 48-team finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament has delivered early drama, upsets and dominant performances as it moves toward the Sweet 16. With the second round wrapping up Sunday, March 23, several top seeds remain alive while Cinderella stories and buzzer-beaters have kept fans glued to screens.

Everton delivered a commanding performance at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, thrashing Chelsea 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, March 21, 2026, with a brace from Beto and a stunning strike from Iliman Ndiaye sealing a result that boosted the Toffees' European ambitions while intensifying scrutiny on Blues manager Liam Rosenior.

Sunderland delivered a dramatic comeback victory in the 144th Tyne-Wear derby, defeating Newcastle United 2-1 on Sunday at St James' Park in the first Premier League meeting between the fierce North East rivals at the venue in over a decade.

Bryan Hodgson, the fast-rising American college basketball coach, is finalizing a move to become the head coach at Providence College, sources confirmed Sunday, capping a whirlwind year that saw him lead South Florida to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 14 years before drawing interest from multiple programs.

Australia's influence on the NBA has grown steadily since Luc Longley became the first Aussie to play in the league in 1991, paving the way for a wave of talent that includes championship winners,

In the world of basketball, height has always been a defining trait, but few matchups spark as much intrigue as the one between Florida Gators redshirt freshman Olivier Rioux and San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.

Valentine Holmes stands as one of the most accomplished and versatile figures in modern rugby league, blending explosive athleticism with a remarkable international pedigree. The 30-year-old centre for the St George Illawarra Dragons has navigated a career full of highs, including premiership glory, record-breaking performances, and a bold but brief detour into American football.

The Duke Blue Devils remain firmly in the national championship conversation for the 2026 NCAA men's basketball tournament, but a narrow escape in their opening-round matchup has tempered some of the preseason hype surrounding Jon Scheyer's squad.

The **West Coast Eagles vs. North Melbourne** clash in Round 2 of the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season is underway at Optus Stadium in Perth, delivering an early-season showdown between two clubs looking to build momentum after their respective Round 1 outings.

LOS ANGELES — Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion now retired, assembled a formidable squad for the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic, drafting longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski, rising star Ashton Jeanty and veteran playmaker Stefon Diggs among others in a star-studded draft held March 19, 2026, at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Olivier Rioux, the 7-foot-9 Canadian center for the Florida Gators, continues to captivate college basketball fans in March 2026 as the tallest player ever to compete in NCAA men's hoops. Now a redshirt freshman in his first active season after preserving eligibility in 2024-25, Rioux has appeared in limited minutes but already etched his name in record books with historic dunks and crowd-roaring entrances.

SYDNEY — Japan edged hosts Australia 1-0 in the AFC Women's Asian Cup final on Saturday, March 21, 2026, securing their third continental crown and denying the Matildas a home triumph in front of a record crowd at Stadium Australia.

SYDNEY — The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown as hosts Australia face arch-rivals Japan in the final of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™ at Stadium Australia on Saturday

LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers' breakout guard, recently called LeBron James the "real leader" of the team, emphasizing the four-time NBA champion's selfless play, basketball IQ and example-setting presence even as Luka Doncic has taken on the primary scoring and playmaking role.

Lionel Messi, the architect of Argentina's triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign, remains a central figure in discussions about the 2026 tournament, with signs pointing to his participation in what could be his final shot at back-to-back titles — a feat unachieved since Brazil in 1958-1962.

ADELAIDE, Australia — The Western Bulldogs held off a fast-finishing Adelaide Crows side to claim a hard-fought six-point victory, 14.10 (94) to 13.10 (88), in Round 2 of the 2026 AFL premiership season on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.

BRISBANE, Australia — Former Brisbane Lions captain and three-time premiership hero Jonathan Brown is recovering from surgery to remove a low-grade brain tumour, the AFL great announced Friday in a heartfelt social media post that has drawn an outpouring of support from the football community.

BRISBANE, Australia — Kotoni Staggs, the powerful centre for the Brisbane Broncos, has become one of the NRL's most reliable and dynamic players.

With just over 80 days until the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Mexico and Canada on June 11, anticipation is building for what promises to be the most global tournament in history.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's latest injury — a hamstring issue sustained in late February — has kept the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar off the pitch for Al Nassr through mid-March 2026, sparking concerns about his workload and availability for club and country.

American soccer icon Landon Donovan is set to release his long-awaited memoir, "Landon: A Memoir," on March 24, 2026, offering an unflinching look at his storied career, personal battles with depression and the search for peace beyond the pitch.

HOUSTON — LeBron James and Luka Doncic delivered a masterclass in scoring efficiency and playmaking, combining for 70 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-116 road win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night at Toyota Center

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into soccer history Wednesday night, scoring his 900th career goal in the seventh minute of Inter Miami's Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second-leg match against Nashville SC.

LISBON, Portugal — Cristiano Ronaldo remains on course to represent Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite a recent hamstring injury that sidelined him from Al Nassr matches in early March, with recovery timelines pointing to a return in April and full fitness well before the tournament opens in June.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just over three months away, kicking off June 11 across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, early predictions and betting markets point to Spain as the frontrunner to lift the trophy

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nike Basketball and Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant have partnered with the iconic "Jurassic Park" franchise to launch a themed sneaker pack for the Nike Ja 3, blending cinematic nostalgia with high-performance basketball design.

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, charming host Jimmy Fallon with stories of his defensive prowess, a gritty NBA Finals dental mishap and his new beer collaboration, all while sharing a St. Patrick's Day pint in a lighthearted segment that highlighted his rising profile beyond the court.