Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor has urged Juan Pablo Angel to stay and fight for his first-team place.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has pledged to stick with goal-shy Andy Cole for the World Cup qualifier with Albania.

World Cup winner Gilberto will be handed the task of reviving Arsenal’s fortunes when he leads the side into their Carling Cup quarter-final at Doncaster tonight.

Gordon D’Arcy will harbour no regrets when his career ends in four months’ time, regardless of whether or not he is selected for Joe Schmidt’s World Cup squad.

UNLIKELY hero Stephen Donald has started taking stock of his World Cup final-winning exploits, and admitted: “It is an unreal experience.”

Mark Hughes has broken his silence and insisted he will continue as Wales manager.

An 86-year-old gymnast has wowed the crowds at the gymnastics World Cup in Germany.

Former Brazil great Socrates, who captained Brazil at the 1982 World Cup, died today. He was 57.

Australia will try to target England’s lack of experience at fly-half when the two sides meet in June’s World Cup final rematch at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer is relishing the prospect of his return to international football – and is already aiming for a spot at the 2006 World Cup finals.

Ireland remain favourites to win hosting rights.

Eddie O’Sullivan has welcomed his stint as Barbarians coach as an early chance to banish memories of Ireland’s calamitous World Cup.

Ireland’s JJ Hanrahan has been shortlisted for the IRB Junior Player of the Year Award at the U20 World Cup in South Africa.

Only eight European teams advance to the World Cup.

While most soccer-loving fans around the globe will be glued to their televisions next year during the World Cup, restaurants and cinemas around Italy might find themselves extra busy during the summer.