Socceroos heartbreak at the FIFA World Cup | Morning News Bulletin 4 July 2026

Socceroos heartbreak at the FIFA World Cup | Morning News Bulletin 4 July 2026

Egypt defeat the Socceroos on penalties to reach World Cup Round of 16; experts urge calm after suspected New South Wales bird flu detection; Ange Postecoglu appointed head coach of Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr.

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The Socceroos have struck out of the FIFA World Cup, after losing 4-2 to Egypt in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Harry Souttar missed Australia's opening penalty before Lucas Herrington struck the crossbar, while Egypt converted all four of its spot kicks.

Egypt had taken an early lead before an own goal from Mohamed Hany levelled the scores in the second half.

Despite several crucial saves from goalkeeper Patrick Beach, Australia missed the chance to claim its first-ever men's World Cup knockout victory.

This is what Jackson Irvine had to say following the loss.

"Congratulations to Egypt. Huge victory for them, obviously a historic day for them as well. Yeah, listen, we took it all the way to the very end. Penalties is a cruel way to lose, but anybody who's got the confidence to step up and take, take that ball after 120 minutes, or however long you've played, it takes a big heart, and I hope they, you know, everyone stays behind them and they get all the support, because it takes, it takes, yeah, big heart to step up and take that after a game like today."

Health experts are urging Australians not to panic after a suspected case of the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected in a migratory seabird on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.

The detection follows five confirmed cases in wild seabirds in Western Australia and South Australia, with further testing expected to confirm the NSW case this weekend.

Authorities say the risk to the public remains low, with no evidence the virus has spread to commercial poultry.

New South Wales Chief Veterinary Officer Jo Coombe says surveillance is being stepped up to ensure the virus has not spread into local wild bird populations.

"One of the key triggers, of course, would be if we saw that they'd be spreading to the wild bird population, because then that's the next sort of level of risk. That's why we're enhancing the surveillance to ensure that that hasn't occurred."

A woman has been handed a community work order for punching Senator Lidia Thorpe outside the MCG in 2024 over claims the independent disrespected her mother.

Ebony Bell was initially told to undertake an anger management course - before she assaulted a security guard outside a regional pub while on bail in 2025.

On Friday, she was handed a $300 fine and 12-month community corrections order with conviction for the two bouts of offending.

Details of Bell's assault on Senator Thorpe can finally be revealed, after a suppression order banning reporting on it was lifted.

Representatives from China, India and Malaysia were among those from around 30 countries that paid their respects to Iran's late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

His body was lying in state in Tehran at the start of a week of mourning, months after being killed by US and Israeli strikes on the first day of their war with Iran.

Authorities expect his funeral procession to attract millions of mourners, before the 86-year-old leader is buried next week in his birth town.

Peace talks have been temporarily put on hold for the mourning, as Iran's Army Chief Amir Hatami vows to hold Ayatollah Khamenei's killers accountable.

"Without doubt, this martyrdom has strengthened our resolve. Today, with even greater determination, we address the enemies of the Iranian nation, the United States and the Israeli regime and say that we will hold them accountable for the blood of our martyred leader and all our martyrs."

Australian football coach Ange Postecoglou has been appointed head coach of Saudi Pro League champions Al-Nassr FC on a two-year deal.

The 60-year-old takes charge of a side captained by Cristiano Ronaldo after difficult spells in the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

Postecoglou led Tottenham to the Europa League title in 2025 but was sacked after the club finished 17th in the Premier League.

He lasted just 39 days at Nottingham Forest after failing to win any of his first eight matches.

He has previously won league titles with Celtic, Brisbane Roar and Yokohama F. Marinos.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has made history, becoming the oldest player to score in a World Cup knockout match, at 41, as Portugal booked a last-16 showdown with Spain.