GOVERNMENTS may fall and stock markets may fluctuate, but those events will be eclipsed by the global epidemic of football fever set to dominate the planet for the next month — following yesterday’s opening of the 18th World Cup in Germany.

Liverpool have won the Club World Cup, beating Flamengo 1-0 after extra-time in Doha.

Spain can be considered favourites for the 2018 World Cup while Gareth Southgate's England are the fifth most likely to win the tournament, according to research group CIES Football Observatory.

Juan Roman Riquelme has revealed he turned down an offer from Tottenham before agreeing to move back to Boca Juniors.

Shane O’Neill is expected to end months of speculation over his international future by snubbing the Republic of Ireland in favour of the United States.

Scotland manager Alex McLeish is expected to be offered an extension to his contract which expires after the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Raul played down his individual contribution after his second-half goal inspired Spain to a 3-1 triumph over Tunisia and a place in the knock-out stages of the World Cup.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is poised to spring a World Cup surprise by including Michael Carrick in the team to play Ecuador.

Ledley King’s World Cup hopes have suffered a major blow with Tottenham revealing he has fractured the fourth metatarsal of his left foot.

Australia coach John Connolly has today moved quickly to dispel rumours that he will be sacked before the World Cup.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros is desperate to be fit for his side’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Finland in Helsinki.

England want to play a B international against Belarus to give vital match practice to some of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup squad.

Ireland U21 34 Samoa U21 17

France coach Bernard Laporte is expecting a tough encounter in their 2007 World Cup opener against Argentina.

Jonny Wilkinson believes his last-gasp extra-time drop goal, which won England the World Cup, was just reward for the hard work Clive Woodward’s men put in in their bid to become world champions.

Marcel Desailly has announced his retirement from international football after a record 116 appearances for France.

Jonah Lomu’s kidney function has deteriorated to such an extent that the legendary All Blacks winger was been forced to begin renal dialysis treatment.

Michael Ballack has admitted he cried in the German dressing room when it hit home that he would be suspended for the World Cup final.