THREE-TIMES World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane crushed rumours about his possible return to the France team by saying he would definitely not be coming out of international retirement.

FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Italy defender Marco Materazzi following the incident that led to France captain Zinedine Zidane being sent off in Sunday’s World Cup final.

Alan Hansen has announced he will quit his role as a Match of the Day pundit after the 2014 World Cup.

UEFA has denied a report that it wants to revamp the European Championship so that it rivals the World Cup.

Paul O’Connell hopes to guide Ireland to World Cup glory in 2015 in what potentially could be the end of his career.

It's a year away, but now is the time to get organised if you are planning a trip to England for next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Germany moved into the Women's World Cup semi-finals thanks to a penalty shootout victory over France in Montreal last night.

Former Republic of Ireland striker Clinton Morrison fears for our World Cup qualification hopes if Robbie Keane can't provide the goals.

Reigning European champions Leinster have announced the signing of New Zealand World Cup winner Brad Thorn on a three-month contract.

Germany’s national team have agreed on a structure of bonuses for their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup.

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has announced he will retire from the national team after the World Cup.

Steve Staunton has said that the 2002 World Cup is his last chance to play in the finals.

JAPAN booked their place at a third consecutive World Cup finals as goals from Atsushi Yanagisawa and Masashi Oguro gave the Asian champions a 2-0 win over North Korea in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifying tournament in Bangkok.

Follow live updates below or across social media, with expert analysis and insight from our panel of Irish Examiner columnists Ronan O'Gara and Donal Lenihan, who are joined on stage by Munster Rugby's Johann van Graan and Stephen Larkham.

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Joe Schmidt says Johnny Sexton is positive about returning to these shores next season and that his star fly-half’s move from Racing Metro to Leinster will be really beneficial to Ireland’s cause.

Referee Horacio Elizondo insists Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo did not influence his decision to send off England striker Wayne Rooney in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.

Corporate travel firm Hogg Robinson posted a 28% rise in profits today after ferrying the England football team and their WAGS – wives and girlfriends - during the World Cup.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel remains sceptical of calls for Iran to be thrown out of this summer's soccer World Cup, which her country will host, her spokesman indicated today.

Newcastle striker Albert Luque remains determined to fight back from his disappointing first season in the Premiership.