Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed Bin Hammam believes staging the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will provide the whole Middle East region with a lift it so desperately needs.

While various organisations such as the US Department of Justice and the Swiss government launch investigations into financial irregularities in FIFA, the true cost of football corruption should be measured not in dollars but in dead bodies.

About 150 angry football supporters have turned out in Dublin to protest against FIFA's controversial decision not to grant a World Cup play-off replay between the Republic of Ireland and France.

Emile Heskey has been ruled out of England’s World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine at Wembley on Wednesday.

A minute’s silence will be observed prior to Saturday’s World Cup qualifier between Italy and Ireland in Dublin for the victims of the Messina disaster.

Deco is an injury doubt for Portugal’s World Cup opener against Angola on Sunday.

Spain have defeated Slovenia 3-1 in their World Cup Group B opener in Korea today.

Fifa have overturned the yellow card given to German striker Oliver Neuville in their World Cup quarter-final victory against the United States.

Oceania will have a direct qualification place for the 2006 World Cup, a Fifa spokesman has confirmed.

Iran lead the United Arab Emirates 1-0 at half time in the second leg of their World Cup qualifier.

Brazilian striker Ronaldo could miss this summer’s World Cup finals due to a knee injury that has caused him to return to Brazil for treatment.

Courtney Lawes faces the possibility of missing the rest of England’s Rugby World Cup campaign after being cited for allegedly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

IRELAND’S Ed Joyce fears the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) plan to restrict the next edition of the World Cup to 10 teams will hit their hopes of joining the Test-playing nations.

Ronan O'Gara believes "shift" in mindset opens up possibilities for Ireland

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has today extended the contract of national coach of Eddie O'Sullivan until 2012.

Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna has confirmed his retirement from international football after the United States’ exit from the World Cup.

World Cup Draw:

The World Club Championship is to be revived by FIFA for 2005, it was announced today.

A British director of FIFA's hospitality partners at the World Cup has been arrested in Brazil.

There's a carnival atmosphere in Cardiff this morning as fans gather to watch the Rugby World Cup showdown between Ireland and Argentina.