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 threat of a winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022 affecting the traditional festive period for club matches will see English football united in opposition to the plan.

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

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

Eir sport has unveiled a "new and fresh" looking Rugby World Cup team of experts, with Gordon D’Arcy, Peter Stringer and Jerry Flannery fronting studio analysis for Japan in the autumn.

Players at the Rugby World Cup will be tested for the newly discovered ’designer drug’ tetrahdyrogestinone from the beginning of next week.

The numbers of overseas visitors to Ireland are set to reach record levels this year, boosted by the success of the Ryder Cup this autumn.

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.

Latest leading positions in the first round (fourballs) of the World Golf Championships-EMC World Cup at Vista Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (par 72):

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.”

FIFA will decide whether any action is necessary after Australian squad members admitted to gambling among themselves on their opening World Cup match.

The United States Women's soccer jersey has become the number one best-selling soccer jersey, men's or women's, ever sold on Nike.com in a single season.

Six teenagers were struck by lightning and killed as they listened to radio commentary of a World Cup soccer match, officials in India said today.

Rangers midfielder Hamed Namouchi will be fit to play for Tunisia in the World Cup finals next month.

Mark Kennedy has withdrawn from the Ireland squad for the World Cup finals.

FIFA are considering rewarding continents who do well in the World Cup next year by letting more of their countries compete in the next tournament.