Three deaths were reported in Sao Paulo on Wednesday as the stadium due to stage the opening match at next year’s World Cup suffered a partial collapse.

The Catalan giants, who triumphed in the competition in 2009 and 2011, launch their bid for a third title at the International Stadium Yokohama.

The man responsible for New Zealand's staging of the Rugby World Cup has said he supports Ireland's bid to host the tournament.

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela after suffering a groin injury, coach Edgardo Bauza revealed on Friday.

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher and Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher were both included today in the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Belgium.

Ireland’s Alain Rolland will referee the opening World Cup semi-final between Wales and France in Auckland on Saturday.

The horns that have blared at World Cup matches in South Africa make an unholy racket – according to a religious edict in the United Arab Emirates.

Fashion retailer JD Sports reported a deterioration in same-store sales today but reassured the weak performance was partly down to tough comparisons to booming sales in the run up to last year’s World Cup.

A crocodile named Dirty Harry that picked the winner of the World Cup has predicted election victory for prime minister Julia Gillard.

Holland 2 Scotland 0

Serbian President Boris Tadic has been fined €400 for toasting Serbia’s football team with champagne after it qualified for the World Cup.

THE youngest referee for a World Cup qualifier involving the Republic of Ireland will be in charge when Cyprus host Brian Kerr’s team in Nicosia on Saturday.

THE US and Mexico signalled their intentions with valuable away wins on Wednesday as the final round of 2006 World Cup qualifying began in the North and Central America and Caribbean region.

Stephen Larkham has been ruled out of the Australia side for today’s pivotal World Cup clash with Wales in Cardiff after suffering a knee injury in training.

Leeds winger Anitele’a Tuilagi has been ruled out of Samoa’s World Cup campaign after suffering a wrist injury in training.

Ireland’s chances of reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup qualifier in China have been virtually ended by the 1-0 defeat to Belgium.

Brazil midfielder Edmilson has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Scotland 18 Italy 16