Croatia defender Josip Simunic will miss the World Cup after being banned for 10 matches by Fifa for shouting a fascist salute following his team’s play-off victory over Iceland last month.

New Zealand may be the bookies’ favourites for the 2003 World Cup but it is England who enter the competition on top of the Zurich World Rankings, according to the latest standings released today.

Arsenal winger Robert Pires has given up hope of being called up for the French national side by Raymond Domenech after being left out for the third consecutive squad.

Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff hopes to end his international career by winning the World Cup.

World Rugby has commissioned an independent disputes committee to review the controversial end to Europe's World Cup qualification period.

Brazil’s slow pace of preparation for the 2014 World Cup has come under attack from FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke.

Rugby Football Union chief Francis Baron insists Andy Robinson’s position as England head coach is “fireproof” through to the 2007 World Cup.

Airline giant Emirates have become the third of FIFA’s key sponsors to express disappointment at the continuing controversy surrounding the world governing body.

Welford Road, the home of Leicester Tigers and the biggest club rugby ground in England, has been axed as a potential venue for the 2015 World Cup.

New Zealand hooker Dane Coles defended England’s ‘V-formation’ response to the All Blacks haka before the World Cup semi-final, joking that the RFU “earn a shitload of money so they’ll be able to pay the fine.”

Sanita Puspure is also through to her final.

Vicente del Bosque has signed a two-year extension to his contract as Spain coach, the Spanish football federation have confirmed.

Scotland manager Walter Smith believes the summer departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson will give the England manager an added impetus to end his tenure by winning the World Cup.

England’s World Cup clash against fierce rivals South Africa looks set to launch the 2007 tournament in a potential 80,000 sell-out at Stade de France.

David Beckham admits “the whole nation” is willing Wayne Rooney to be fit for the World Cup – and gave a glimmer of hope by revealing the striker “looked fine” when he was dancing at the England skipper’s party.

Darren Clarke’s third place finish in the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii, opening event of the US Tour season, has taken him top of the European Ryder Cup table – but down in the world rankings.

IRELAND’S Geordan Murphy admitted last night he is still coming to terms with missing out on the World Cup after breaking his leg against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Jerry Flannery expects Felix Jones to take his experience of being involved in coaching South Africa to a World Cup final back to Ireland someday.

World Cup officials have launched an investigation into an alleged fight between two players from the Italy team.

The 2015 World Cup final will kick off at 8pm with ticket prices ranging from £150 (€180) to £715 (€850), the tournament organiser has announced.