Turkey dumped world champions Brazil out of the Confederations Cup tonight after holding them to a 2-2 draw in their final group game.

French coach Roger Lemerre has said that he might call Nicolas Anelka into his World Cup squad if Thierry Henry is forced to withdraw because of his knee injury.

Snooker world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has recorded his fifth competitive maximum break at the LG Cup in Preston.

The Boys in Green are continuing their preparations for Saturday's World Cup playoff first leg against Denmark in Copenhagen.

The FAI have announced that that 3,000 tickets have been secured for the Republic of Ireland's 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier away to Georgia in Tbilisi on September 2 and 3,500 tickets for the qualifier away to Wales in Cardiff on October 9, writes Liam Mackey.

The sooner today is over the better for Brazilian football fans, as jokers take advantage of the date to remind them of the thrashing Germany gave them in the World Cup.

Germany hotshot Thomas Mueller gave an unsuspecting bystander a taste of the shooting skills that have him favourite for the Golden Boot in this World Cup.

Belgian stars Eden Hazard and Laurent Ciman took some time out of training to make an elderly fan’s day yesterday.

Interim manager Rafael Benitez was today deciding how many changes to make for Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey.

The Football Association of Slovenia have reappointed Srecko Katanec as head coach of the national team following the resignation of Slavisa Stojanovic.

Ireland's cricketers have won their second World Cup qualifying encounter against the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah.

All the figures ahead of Friday's game

Some football fans, Irish and otherwise, still can’t forgive the Frenchman for the infamous handball 5 years ago that denied Ireland a place at the 2010 World Cup.

After a certain tweet this afternoon, the team could have gained a whole now following - among teenage girls.

“Female footballers have fought back for years, but now they finally admit it’s all true.”

Follow regular updates from Ireland’s final Rugby World Cup warm-up game on home soil. It promises to be an emotional day for Paul O’Connell who makes his final appearance in the green of Ireland at the Aviva.

The Ireland team had their first run out in the famous Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin today ahead of their final Rugby World Cup Pool C game against Italy next Sunday.

England number eight Nick Easter failed a fitness test on his tight calf shortly before today’s World Cup warm-up clash with Ireland.

Shinji Kagawa has given Manchester United another injury worry after missing Japan’s World Cup qualifying victory over Iraq with a back injury.

Ian Thorpe continued to struggle in his comeback today with the Australian failing to qualify for the final of the 100 metres freestyle at the FINA World Cup meet in Beijing.