JAY-JAY OKOCHA has confirmed he will represent Nigeria in the African Nations Cup in January - then quit international football at 32.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has left the door open for Luca Toni to return to the national team.

Mark Viduka has revealed he is considering retiring from international football after the World Cup.

Gerard Butler hopes the decision to drop Jack Sullivan back to a mile can be vindicated at Nad Al Sheba tomorrow.

Jennifer Lopez will not perform the World Cup’s official song alongside fellow artists Pitbull and Claudia Leitte during the tournament’s opening ceremony in Brazil.

Slovenia captain Robert Koren has announced his retirement from international football.

Football fans would have pocketed over €4,000 if they had backed Paul the psychic octopus’ World Cup predictions, online bookmaker Betfair has claimed today.

Former France defender Marcel Desailly questioned Raymond Domenech’s decision to take off Thierry Henry during the World Cup final defeat to Italy.

Lawrence Dallaglio insists his return to international rugby is not just a short-term decision, with next year’s World Cup in France being the ultimate target.

Adrian Birrell's Ireland are to open their Group D account at the 2007 Cricket World Cup against Zimbabwe.

World Cup Group 4 qualifier latest:

The Irish cricket team today qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history.

At least five people were crushed to death and 40 others injured after a World Cup qualifying match in Tehran, state-run television reported today.

Roger Lemerre has been sacked as France manager following his side's dismal performance at the World Cup.

England captain David Beckham reckons Teddy Sheringham should be part of next year’s World Cup squad.

Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive Philip Browne says Ireland should not bid to host a Rugby World Cup while the parameters to stage the competition remain as they are.

Rihanna showed her support for Germany in last night's FIFA World Cup final clash with Argentina.

Major sponsors Coca-Cola have described the ongoing controversy surrounding FIFA as “distressing and bad for the sport” as the saga rumbles on.

HAVING laboured as fourth seeds in the current Euro 2008 campaign, the Republic of Ireland are set to move up a rung in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.