World Cup defending champions are prepared to gamble on Zinedine Zidane’s fitness as they attempt to save their World Cup campaign from disaster following their opening-game defeat against Senegal.

Sport Entertainment & Media is blaming the World Cup for cutting its profits.

Brazil legend Pele admits that a quarter-final clash between his country and England would be worthy of the final itself.

Robert Pires fears many French players will boycott this summer’s World Cup if far right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen wins this weekend’s presidential election.

Carsten Jancker has become the latest World Cup worry for Germany.

Scotland’s recent results in their World Cup qualifying games means the Scottish Premier League are set to discuss making changes to the league programme.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has downplayed the significance of Jurgen Klinsmann’s departure as boss of Euro 2008 opponents Germany.

An unnamed player failed a drugs test during the Rugby World Cup and has been provisionally suspended, the International Rugby Board announced.

The country is expected to come to a halt when Ireland take on Iran in the World Cup play-off at Lansdowne Road today.

New Zealand fly-half Carlos Spencer is out to exorcise the ghosts of his nightmare World Cup campaign in 1999 by leading the All Blacks to glory in Australia.

World Cup-bound Lewis Ludlam was considering his options outside of rugby a year ago as he reflected on a career that was in danger of fading away.

The fixtures for next season’s Guinness Pro12 are expected to be announced next week, with the competition kicking off on the first weekend of September.

The Irish Football Association will support the roll-out of video assistant referees across key international fixtures having seen Northern Ireland's World Cup dream shattered by a controversial penalty decision.

Jake White, the mastermind of South Africa’s 2007 World Cup triumph, today effectively threw his hat into the ring to become the next England coach.

Former Australia coach Eddie Jones last night expressed an interest in replacing Martin Johnson as the next England team manager, just hours after Nick Mallett had ruled himself out of contention for the job.

RAFAEL BENITEZ has launched an astonishing attack on the World Cup and claims that it damages the big clubs’ chances of success.

Brian Ashton revealed a passionate speech from captain Phil Vickery fired England to a 14-9 victory over France and into the World Cup final.

Stephen Carr has announced his retirement from international football following the Republic of Ireland’s failure to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

A new report by Amnesty International alleges systematic abuse of migrant workers redeveloping the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for the 2022 World Cup.