#101 - Should we scrap the A-League cap & Patrick Beach makes overseas move

The FIFA World Cup may be over in North America, but Australian football is only heating up. This week we cover a huge run of overseas transfers, pre-season performances from Australians abroad, the release of the 2026 A-League Men's fixture, Football Australia's new domestic calendar, Australia Cup Round 32, and the latest developments in the ongoing collective bargaining dispute.

This week's topics

• Canberra United secure new owners.
• Adam Peacock calls for the A-League salary cap to be scrapped in favour of a salary floor.
• The PFA rejects the APL's latest collective bargaining agreement proposal.
• Football Australia confirms the 2026 domestic calendar, with the A-League Men, A-League Women and Australian Championship all kicking off on 16 October after the international window.

• The A-League Men's fixtures are out:

Sydney Derby opens the season on Friday night.

F3 Derby also headlines Round 1.

Melbourne Derby in Round 2.

New Zealand Derby and the Original Rivalry feature in Round 4.

A packed festive schedule sees matches played every day from Boxing Day through to 3 January.

• Australian transfer roundup

Patrick Beach → Troyes

Charli Grant → Malmö FF

Tete Yengi → Machida Zelvia (permanent)

Callum Elder → Lincoln City

Mark Natta → Cesena

Jacob Chapman → St Mirren

Dan Hall → JEF United Chiba

Ella Tonkin → Torreense

Max Anastasio → AC Milan

Jake Girdwood-Reich → Motherwell

Luka Jovanović → San Jose Earthquakes

Younis Ibrahim signs his first professional contract with Brighton & Hove Albion

Ryan Strain → Falkirk

Grace Johnston → Charlton

• Aussies abroad

Scotland

Zac Sapsford scores and assists in a Player of the Match display for Dundee United.

Lachie Rose scores for his new club.

Josh Rawlins also gets valuable pre-season minutes.

Norway

Gianni Stensness plays consecutive full matches for Viking, who remain firmly in the title race.

England

Hayden Matthews plays 45 minutes in Portsmouth's pre-season friendly against Aldershot Town.

Austria

Marco Tilio opens the scoring as Rapid Vienna defeat Panathinaikos 4-1.

Croatia

Noa Skoko helps Hajduk Split progress in Europa League qualifying.

United States

Sam Kerr makes her Gotham FC debut, playing 26 minutes in front of a crowd of more than 42,000.

Mackenzie Arnold records four saves despite Portland's defeat.

China

Ross Aloisi's Zhejiang Professional claim a dramatic late 3-2 victory.

Plus

Australia Cup Round 32 wrap-up.

The biggest talking points from another busy week in Australian football.

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