Sport
7 June, 2026
‘World’ wins beach soccer
WORLD Cup Football fever has come to Port Douglas and, while we await the start of the official FIFA World Cup in North America, a group of hospitality workers decided to have a social kick-around at the beautiful Four Mile Beach.
It was planned to be a friendly six-a-side match between Australia and the ‘rest of the world’, but with over 30 participants turning up last Monday afternoon (1 June), from many parts of the world, it made Team Australia’s task rather difficult.
Match organiser Greg ‘Harry’ Potter said “it was really well received and with so many turning up, including the young and old, we had to play two matches, so everyone could have a kick.”
“It is great to see so many different nationalities being represented and celebrate together, despite what is happening geo-politically in our globe,” he said.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming along, it was well played in good spirits.”
The matches of the official FIFA World Cup will be played early morning to mid-afternoon Queensland time, due to the time zone difference.
Mr Potter said “I know that local sports bars will be showing matches that are played during their normal licensed trading hours and I will be watching matches like Iran vs New Zealand at a local resort, where I am hoping to see many Kiwis there supporting the All Whites.
“I can imagine other pubs will be packed out for the Australia versus Turkey match on Sunday 14 June,” he said.
“Like other friends, I have been to the local sports shop and bought fan gear and Socceroos jerseys for my children and we will be ready to cheer on the green and gold”.
The FIFA World Cup kicks off on 12 June and continues until 20 July and Mr Potter said “be prepared to see many fans wearing their national colours in the coming weeks and listen out for those early morning celebrations”.
For last Monday’s more local match on Four Mile Beach, Team Australia lost 2-0 to rest of the world, but on the day, everyone was a winner.
