July 15th, 2026.
World Preps for Round 2
The 2026 Quidditch World Cup broke off to an excited start! Match ups a plenty, where world rivials and unlikly underdogs flew out to face one another it what is surely shaping up to be one of the most epic World Cup’s to date! This aticle strives to break down a summary of each game during the first Round below:
Nordic Team 230, Mexico 60
Quick passing and tough defending from the Nordic Team kept Mexico at bay while a stellar effort from brilliant seeker Iátuluk gave them the first round win, 230 to 60. Aleksis Sikanen lead the way on 60 points off 9 shots in a match which was tight from the very start. Viktoria Peterson and Derek Wicklund bludgered the opposition 25 times for the Nords, and chaser Karl Jorgensen had 2 steals to lead the defensive effort from mid pitch.
South Africa 340, Korea 50
South Africa won a wide-open, wild-shooting, hard hitting affair 340 to 50 over Korea. Sicelo Fassie topped the scoring for the day with 80 points, but fellow South Africans Luan Fourie trailed shortly behind with 60 points and 3 assists. Beaters on both sides had impressive showings, lead by Andre Arendse with 8, but there was nothing that Korea could do to slow down the overwhelming South African attack which produced 37 shots, 25 of which were on target with Au Yeung Dewei’s goals. This was the final match of the opening round at Bandung, with South Africa lined up to face the Nordic Team.
England coasts over Costa Rica, 250-30
Costa Rica struck first to open up the brace of matches played in Tunisia, but their lead quickly dissolved under the unrelenting assault from England’s Julia Hastings and Robbie Crotty. Arjun Singh maintained solid quaffle control at mid field and Crotty dominated on the offensive end with 60 points on 12 shots.
Costa Rica underperformed offensively, and seeker Rudolof Quilez was regularly muscled out of position by the crafty Jackie Morgan, however yeoman’s efforts from beaters Ramona Islava and Lorenzo Lazaro kept the match from devolving into a farce.
Sierra Leone 220, USA 100
In what must be considered the greatest upset of the opening round, Sierra Leone made a brilliant come-from-behind victory over the lauded USA, 220 to 100. The Americans never trailed until the final moment behind slick shooting from Mackenzie Price. Solid defending from Kish and Deedra Kingston, and a good performance from Rafael Perez in goal were not enough to stretch the lead beyond 150 points they would’ve needed to overcome an excellent catch by world-class seeker Boubacar Coulibaly. Sierra Leone will advance to face off with England in the final match at Tunis, Tunisia.
Rorokin earns Russia win over Venezuela, 290-180
Alexei Rorokin salvaged Russia’s World Cup dreams when he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and gave his team the 290-180 first round victory. Venezuela had an impressive offensive showing, lead by Rerebowa’s 80 points and hard work of Humberto Sauce, but 70 points and 2 assists from Russia’s Anna Starikova kept her side in striking distance long enough for Rorokin’s catch. Russia has earned their place in the second round, facing the victory of the following Japan v. Cote d’Ivorie match.
Japan 360, Cote d’Ivorie 110
The Japanese chasers have again proven to be possibly the most formidable group left in the World Cup with a 360 to 110 victory over Cote d’Ivorie. Raiden Inouye lead his side with 100 points on 19 shots, matched by Karidya Yoro who was the only seeker of note for the Ivorians. Djeneba Tiene made 18 saves on 39 shots and Koffi Akoua lead the way with 10 bludgerings, but they were powerless in the face of the short passing, possession based Japanese side. Japan will face Russia in the second round in Maputo, Mozambique.
Ireland 290, Brazil 190
Ireland’s dream run has continued as they overcame a 50 point deficit to eliminate one of the world’s top sides. Padraic Kinneen has proven to be one of the world’s elite seekers as he out-flew the legendary Simone in a fast-paced, high-scoring match that the Leprechauns will not soon forget. Ireland’s Oison Blaney’s 22 saves proved to be the difference maker in keeping them close enough to find the rare win for a play-in winner in the World Cup.
China 290, Palau 30
China made short work of the other play-in competitor in a 290 to 30 thrashing of Palau. After winning a valiant battle over the Solomon Islands last fall, upcoming star seeker Penny Pengelbew couldn’t out-fly Chinese stalwart Tsui Yun and make the catch before China ran away with the score. China’s Mahinur Yasin lead the scoring with 90 points. China, considered to be the favorite for this year’s competition, will face off with potential giant-killer Ireland in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Aoife O’Keeffe confirmed as Hogwarts Headmistress
Following a glowing career with The Ministry of Magic, most recently as Senior Minister for the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, it was a shock to the wizarding world when Aoife O’Keeffe gave up her thirty years at the Ministry to take the position of Deputy Headmistress when Oreyn Fox took on the role of Headmaster.
The loss of Oreyn Fox as Headmaster has been a huge blow to Hogwarts and the Board of Governors’ announcement will hopefully help the school move on from the tragic loss.
– Saffron Foxclaw, Current Events
Bout at Brighton
‘Scandalous’. From the lips of a first hand witness to the fracas that exploded on the beach of Brighton Bay between Ms. Anya Peyroux, 87, – of the Peyroux family – and the Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic, Michel ‘No Comment’ St Jours.
Miss Bonnie Nishi, 17, currently on Summer Work Experience at The Ministry of Magic, was present at the time and put her auror-potential to work in protecting Mr St Jours. Mr St Jours didn’t escape unscathed, however, he did pay a visit to St Mungos though appears much recovered following, giving your wily reporter reassurances that the witch in question is now in custody.
Though it did take the Department of Magical Law Enforcement another 24 hours to get her into custody as she led another attack against Miss Nishi and Miss Talula Shippe, 13, in punishment for Miss Nishi’s actions. With Miss Shippe held by conjured vines, and Miss Nishi dueling Anya Peyroux, they were lucky that Ministry Hit Wizard, Clarissa Fraser, attended the scene with Jackson Phoenix.
Michel St Jours, Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic, commented on the situation;
‘I am very thankful to be back at work so soon thanks to the help of the expert Healers of St. Mungos Hospital. I am also very pleased that my attacker was arrested with minimal further affect to the public. Considering her nonsensical – possibly senile – confusion that led to the attack, I hope that after following all the necessary legal procedures, she will be willing to receive the help she needs to balance her mind once again and rejoin the wizarding community in the future.’
We await the trial.
Saffron Foxclaw, Current Events
Quiet Memorial for Oreyn Fox Planned
The Formal Memorial for recently deceased Oreyn Fox has yet to be announced however students, current and former, plan to come together on July 24th at 1pm to have a quiet, personal memorial. Organiser Aisling Jones – exiting Head Girl of Hogwarts – has said ‘everyone is welcome to come’
.Saffron Foxclaw, Current Events
Lovelace Brought to Trial
The trial of Viktoria Jael Lovelace, 36, has been adjourned as the Wizengamot consider further evidence in the case of two incidents of grevious assault and attempted murder following a closed trial at the Ministry Wizengamot in London. An impassioned speech from the victim appears to have shaken the entirety of the WIzengamot
Viktoria’s plea of ‘not guilty’ thus far has been found to have little backing due to her lack of alibi and substantial evidence against her, however by her own admission she broke the Werewolf Regulation Act by being in the vicinity of the public and not making herself safe during a full moon. And furthermore admitted to the mauling of a young child, though claiming unintentional. The Wizengamot adjourned the hearing to discuss new evidence brought forward by two senior Aurors prior to deciding on the verdict.
-Saffron Foxclaw, Current Events
