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Frances Howe

Frances Howe

Frances Howe is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Shaun Evans makes a gesture with his band before the Germany v Curacao match on Monday.

Australian referee accused of ‘white power’ gesture during World Cup broadcast

Screen grabs showing Shaun Evans making an upside-down “OK” sign during a World Cup broadcast have generated controversy online.

  • Frances Howe

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Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026.

FIFA World Cup 2026 as it happened: Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1; Ivory Coast sneak last-minute goal past Ecuador 1-0; Netherlands and Japan in 2-all draw as Germany smash Curacao 7-1

Sweden have beat Tunisia 5-1 after the Ivory Coast claim victory in their first World Cup in 12 years against Ecuador.

  • Frances Howe
Connor Metcalfe is swarmed by Socceroos teammates.

FIFA World Cup 2026 results as it happened: ‘Who got the goals? We got the goals’: Irankunda responds to Turkey’s talk

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe delivered Australia’s first win in a World Cup opener since 2006 to set up a blockbuster showdown next Saturday with Group D rivals and hosts USA.

  • Emma Kemp, Frances Howe, Nick Ralston and Roy Ward
Members of the Voyageurs, Canada’s national team supporters, march toward Toronto Stadium.

FIFA World Cup 2026 results as it happened: USA win 4-1 over Paraguay and Canada earns first-ever World Cup point in 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina

Host nation Canada have kicked off their World campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina, before the United States take on Paraguay at 11am. Follow all the action.

  • Frances Howe and Nick Ralston
Players from Australia stand for the national anthem during the women’s international friendly match between Australia Matildas and Mexico at CommBank Stadium on June 09, 2026 in Sydney, Australia.

Joe Montemurro is sticking with his team. But at what cost to the next generation of Matildas?

Even though the next women’s World Cup is a little more than a year away, Joe Montemurro has almost locked in his starting XI already.

  • Frances Howe
Caitlin Foord at 16 and now.

At 16, Caitlin Foord just wanted one cap. Now she is set for her 150th

Caitlin Foord is set to become just the sixth Australian to play in 150 international matches, surpassing celebrated Matildas teammate Sam Kerr.

  • Frances Howe
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NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 06: Sam Kerr of Australia is challenged by Kimberly Rodriguez of Mexico during the women’s international friendly match between Australia Matildas and Mexico at McDonald Jones Stadium on June 06, 2026 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

‘Best football we’ve played’: Montemurro defends Tillies’ lack of goals in Mexico loss

Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said his side are “allowed to make mistakes” after their goalless match in Newcastle.

  • Frances Howe
Hayley Raso returns to her first Matildas match on home soil since the Asian Cup defeat.

‘The only thing missing’: Club trophies mean nothing to Raso without Matildas glory

After falling short in the Asian Cup final, Matildas winger Hayley Raso has her eyes on World Cup glory.

  • Frances Howe
Jai Arrow.

NRL to throw Jai Arrow ‘world’s biggest birthday party’ for MND donations

While the NRL plan Arrow’s 31st birthday party, he’s spending a week in Spain to “get away from reality”.

  • Frances Howe and Dan Walsh
James Tedesco scores a stunner to secure victory for NSW.

State of Origin game one 2026 as it happened: Blues secure victory in series opener after controversial Kalyn Ponga send off

The Blues secured a stunning 22-20 victory in game one of the 2026 State of Origin series with a James Tedesco try in the final minutes of the game after Kalyn Ponga was sent off in the 57th minute.

  • Billie Eder and Frances Howe