Holland forward Ryan Babel has reportedly been injured at the national team’s pre-World Cup camp in Austria.

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is adamant Alexander Frei will play in the World Cup.

Octopus oracle Paul has predicted that Germany will be beaten by Spain in the World Cup semi-final.

FIFA will monitor reports emanating out of Nigeria that the country’s president has banned the national squad from international competition for two years after their disappointing World Cup.

Nigel de Jong does not regret his horror challenge on Spain’s Xabi Alonso in the World Cup final.

Sunderland have confirmed that defender Paulo Da Silva has completed his move to Spanish side Real Zaragoza for an undisclosed fee.

Liam Lawrence has been named in the starting line-up for tomorrow night's crucial World Cup qualifier against Italy at Croke Park.

Police in the North are still questioning four people in connection with a disturbance in Belfast ahead of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier match with Poland.

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BERTI VOGTS yesterday promised the Tartan Army that Scotland would definitely qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Italy racked up the second-highest points tally in their history as they stormed to an 85-15 World Cup warm-up victory over Russia today.

Croatia are through to the World Cup semi-finals after Zlatko Dalic's side beat hosts Russia 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in their last-eight match in Sochi.

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has confirmed he will be retiring from the game in 2018.

Simon Best will become the 14th player to be inducted into the Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) Hall of Fame next week.

Togo talisman Emmanuel Adebayor insists the African side will be going all out for a win when they face Switzerland in Dortmund on Monday.

The performance of Barclays Premiership referee Graham Poll will be analysed by FIFA before they decide what action to take after his yellow-card blunder in last night’s match between Australia and Croatia.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is chasing South Korea star Lee Chun-soo.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros looks certain to miss Monday’s World Cup opener against the United States.

Jose Pekerman has resigned as Argentina coach following the penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany in the quarter-final of the World Cup.

Former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to coach Russian Premier League side Zenit St Petersburg.