Seldom will a ridiculous 23-0 result in the Oceania Cup mean so much to those 17,000 kilometres away but Australia’s crushing of Papua New Guinea proved the outcome that confirmed the Irish women’s team will go to the 2018 World Cup.

Ireland's cricket squad are due to fly into Dublin today following their remarkable success at the World Cup.

Chelsea will begin contract talks with England international Frank Lampard after this summer's World Cup, according to the midfielder's agent.

A mystery phone bidder today bought former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks's 1966 World Cup winners medal for stg£124,750.

World records tumbled as Australia annihilated American Samoa 31-0 in an Oceania World Cup qualifier.

Brian O'Driscoll believes Ireland can back up their World No.1 ranking by winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Neymar is convinced that Brazil can win the World Cup without him.

Ireland’s bid to host the 10th Rugby World Cup in 2023 was formally submitted to the World Rugby offices in Dublin yesterday.

Brazil brought typical colour to an unorthodox trophy-giving ceremony after beating Germany 2-0 in the World Cup final in Yokohama.

FIFA will test for the banned drug EPO at the World Cup as they intensify efforts to crack down on doping in football.

A construction worker has died after falling from the roof of the Arena da Amazonia stadium which will host England’s first game in the World Cup in the Brazilian jungle city of Manaus.

John Lewis today said department store sales jumped 20% last week as World Cup fever encouraged more customers to splash out on new flat-screen TVs.

Tottenham and England footballer Jermain Defoe is set to go on trial after the World Cup accused of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Tottenham’s proposed new stadium has become the first London ground to sign up to be a venue to host games if England win the 2018 World Cup.

Clive Brittain believes money-spinning five-year-old Kandidate is progressing rapidly enough to take a hand in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday week.

FRANZ BECKENBAUER, head of the 2006 World Cup organising committee, claims the sale of match tickets for the football showpiece in Germany is a mammoth task with black market internet providers keen to swell their coffers.

At LEAST 22 people were killed in a stadium crush during a World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi in Abidjan yesterday.

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup due to a clavicle injury, the Welsh Rugby Union has announced.