ANTON OLIVER will not learn a more important life lesson during his Masters degree at Oxford University than the realisation which struck him early in a turbulent season with French side Toulon.

The Republic of Ireland can look forward to hosting champions Italy following the qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup.

Australia captain Stirling Mortlock says his players are desperate to avenge their extra-time loss to England in the 2003 World Cup final.

As the fallout from Germany’s 7-1 rout of World Cup hosts Brazil continues to sink in, one publican was left counting the cost of the World Cup record scoreline.

Germany and Argentina lock horns tonight in a repeat of July’s World Cup final but international retirements and injuries mean Joachim Low and Gerardo Martino will field much-changed sides from that memorable night in Rio.

Beer sales in the UK have soared to all-time record levels due to demand from thirsty football fans during the World Cup, figures suggested today.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen is confident he will be fit for the World Cup finals despite a scare on his return from injury.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has submitted his 23-man England squad to FIFA for the World Cup finals.

Argentina remain hopeful Jose Pekerman will continue to be involved with the national side in some capacity.

Despite a number of injury worries during the week, the Ireland camp are hopeful of having a full squad to select from, ahead of their opening World Cup fixture with England tomorrow.

Scotland team doctor James Robson has admitted to a “slight concern” over the fitness of Scott Murray for next month’s World Cup.

Llanelli forward Chris Wyatt has been overlooked for a place in Wales’ World Cup squad, announced today by coach Steve Hansen.

Roy Keane has declared himself “very hungry” ahead of his first match for Ireland since he walked out of the Ireland training camp at the 2002 World Cup.

Spanish World Cup star Javier De Pedro has joined Blackburn after signing a two-year contract.

The Government today highlighted the risks of Irish soccer fans following their team to the World Cup at a time of a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Korea, one of the tournament’s host countries.

By Mark Gallagher

Wolves boss Dave Jones is on the verge of making Senegal World Cup star Henri Camara his most expensive signing of the summer.

EUROPE’S top football official has called for the game to experiment with having two referees in charge of a match.

The eyes of the crowd were fixed on the VIP box before kick-off in this World Cup second-round clash when David Beckham led a group of England players to their seats.