Pascal Bary’s Gloria De Campeao edged out Lizard’s Desire in a thrilling finish to the Dubai World Cup at Meydan as British-trained raiders disappointed.

Ireland take on New Zealand in their third pool match at the Women's Hockey World Cup qualifier in Rome this evening (7.30pm Irish time).

Britain's Prince William today led England’s 2018 World Cup presentation to FIFA by telling members: “I love football, we English love football and it would be an honour for us to host the World Cup.”

The ramifications of Ireland’s loss to South Africa presented themselves in more than just the bumps and bruises littering the squad yesterday.

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has urged FIFA to hold the Qatar World Cup in April 2022.

Many Brazilians are angry at what they see is a huge waste of money when large parts of the ountry are in poverty.

Mike Griffin has been in Brazil collecting signatures throughout the World Cup and last night put the icing on the cake with a signature from a newly crowned World Cup winner.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has had preliminary discussions with the GAA about the availability of GAA grounds as part of a possible bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Germany captain Michael Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup due to an ankle injury, the German Football Federation have confirmed.

South African World Cup chiefs insist preparations for the 2010 finals are on course and that there will be no need for England to step in as contingency hosts.

EDDIE JONES has been confirmed as technical advisor to the South Africa national side until the end of their World Cup campaign.

NEW ZEALANDER Robbie Deans has effectively ruled himself out of the race to coach Australia by stating his intention to pursue the All Blacks job.

The French football federation (FFF) have announced their unanimous decision to renew the contract of coach Raymond Domenech after he led Les Bleus to the World Cup final.

FIFA are trying to persuade Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi to bury the hatchet on a goodwill mission to 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa.

France have been awarded the 2007 Rugby World Cup after defeating England in a two-way bidding race.

Despite temporary computer problems, applications for 2002 World Cup tickets have surpassed supply in the first round of sales.

The first Englishman to make it to the World Cup final since 1974 will take to the pitch on Sunday in the form of Yorkshire-born referee Howard Webb.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika is convinced the province's star players will not suffer from the memory of their ill-fated Rugby World Cup in France when they return to the country for Sunday's Heineken cup clash with Toulouse.

Brian O’Driscoll has compared Ireland’s clash with Argentina at Croke Park on Saturday to a World Cup qualifier.