JAPAN has declared its bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup and bring the event to Asia for the first time, after learning lessons from its narrow defeat to New Zealand for the 2011 contest.

Japan is planning to bid for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

England have kicked off their crucial Group F World Cup clash against Argentina.

Armenia have equalised with Wales with just over an hour gone in their World Cup qualifier.

The 2014 World Cup will be played in South America, world football’s governing body FIFA today announced.

World Youth Cup tournament result:

Ecuador have beaten Croatia 1-0 in the World Cup Group G match at Yokohama.

Germany have kicked off the second half of their World Cup Second Round match.

Germany and Paraguay are still scoreless at half-time in their second round World Cup match.

Ireland has pulled off one of the biggest upsets in cricket history, by beating former world champions Pakistan in the World Cup in Jamaica.

There has been an outburst of pride from all those in Ireland who helped Eoin Morgan on his path to becoming a World Cup-winning captain.

Oliver Neuville of Bayer Leverkusen has given Germany the lead with a fine finish with just two minutes to go in their World Cup second round match against Paraguay.

Nigeria 0 England 0

South Africa is to host World Cup 2010, FIFA has announced.

Striker Kola has given Albania a shock equaliser after 65 minutes against Germany in their World Cup qualifier.

South Africa will bid against Ireland to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Germany's Miroslav Klose tops the World Cup goalscoring chart after four days of the tournament with his hat-trick against Saudi Arabia during their 8-0 victory on Saturday.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter insists nothing will prevent the 2010 World Cup from being staged in South Africa after he completed a two-day visit to the host nation.

FIFA, the international governing body of world football, confirmed that it plans to sell a $250m (€228m) bond to insure the 2006 World Cup championship in Germany.