Eleven protesters have been detained in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Salvador during a protest against the World Cup.

Chris Ashton was today ruled out of England’s World Cup warm-up international against Wales with an ankle injury.

The plane carrying the World Cup winning Spanish squad home from South Africa has landed in Madrid.

Ivory Coast are anxiously awaiting the results of tests on Didier Drogba after the striker suffered an injury during today’s friendly with Japan in Sion.

Stella Artois and Budweiser brewing giant AB InBev today toasted a World Cup boost from thirsty football fans as UK beer volumes rose by almost a fifth between April and June.

HALF TIME: France 0 Ireland 1

The schedule for Ireland's World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign has been announced by the FAI today.

Mathieu Bastareaud has retired from international rugby after his omission from the French World Cup squad.

Irish Examiner rugby writers Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis look ahead to Ireland's World Cup meeting with Japan, along with local journalist Rich Freeman.

Former France full-back Bacary Sagna reckons Paul Pogba will "shine" at the World Cup in Russia.

The Manchester United manager will provide "expert analysis and predictions".

HOWARD WEBB’S appointment as referee for the World Cup final has been greeted with dismay by the Spanish press.

FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech will reportedly receive a €862,000 bonus after his team qualified for next year’s World Cup.

England 0 Ecuador 0

HT Croatia 1 Australia 1

British actor John Cleese has decided to release his own World Cup song in aid of this summer's German-hosted soccer championships.

Trinidad and Tobago 0 Sweden 0

Ireland will be seeking their first win in the Super Eight stage of the World Cup when they face in-form New Zealand this afternoon.

Gareth Jenkins has been sacked as Wales head coach after his side crashed out of the World Cup.