England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the focus should now be on the World Cup this summer after confirming he will leave his post after the tournament in Germany.

Germany expects as many as 1.5 million guests at this summer’s World Cup finals, an official said today, as organisers stepped up efforts to polish their welcome with a national “friendliness campaign.”

The Ireland Sevens are on course for the Sevens Rugby World Cup in 2005 after emerging as winners on the European Sevens Circuit, a pre-qualifier for the World Cup, at Sopot, Poland, over the weekend.

World Cup Pool latest:

Italy captain Alessandro Troncon was delighted his side had buried the memories of their 1999 World Cup defeat to Tonga with a rousing victory in Canberra on Wednesday.

SAUDI ARABIA super striker Talal Al-Meshal has accused German doctors of deliberately releasing false information about his fitness so he would be left out of his side’s World Cup squad.

FIFA has confirmed that the Twitter accounts of president Sepp Blatter and the World Cup team were hacked this evening, with a series of controversial messages left on both.

Franz Beckenbauer believes England should not be downhearted about the fact there will be no English managers at the World Cup.

British Grand Prix organisers are expecting another Silverstone sell-out, despite next year’s race weekend clashing with England’s first game of the World Cup.

Northern Ireland have lost influential defender Jonny Evans for the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Wednesday, with Andy Little and Alex Bruce also ruled out through injury.

Daniel Sturridge has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier with Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday.

Felix Jones has today been ruled out of contention for selection in the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad.

A fan who tried grabbing the World Cup trophy minutes before Sunday’s final has been let off lightly by a South African court, who fined him R2,000 (€210.07).

Martin Skrtel is tonight breathing a sigh of relief after learning an ankle injury will not keep him out of the World Cup.

Celtic will open talks tomorrow with South Korean World Cup star Cha Du-ri.

Portugal and Chelsea midfielder Deco has announced he will retire from international football after the World Cup.

Doug Howlett has not given up hope of lining out for New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup.

Munster have confirmed they are in advanced discussions to sign a pair of Springbok World Cup winners.