EVERYONE but us believes the opening game of the 2007 World Cup is a done deal; that France will start their campaign on a winning note — but we’re not giving up the hope that we might create history.

THE task of finding a new South Africa rugby coach shifted up a gear yesterday when the first two candidates for the vacant position were interviewed by the country’s rugby bosses.

ENGLAND head coach Brian Ashton and his lieutenants John Wells and Mike Ford have all been re-appointed following an in-depth review into the state of the national team.

GRAHAM HENRY has insisted he won’t make the same mistakes again after being re-appointed New Zealand coach.

The Qatar diplomatic crisis can end if Doha gives up hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup, a top Emirati security official has said.

FIFA has said there has been no evidence of match-fixing at any World Cup match and called on a German magazine which made allegations concerning Cameroon to offer proof.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli hailed his “rebels” after the South Americans knocked reigning champions Spain out of the World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo's superb free-kick gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Brazilian side Gremio as they retained their FIFA Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi.

Wales want to put down an immediate marker in terms of their discipline when they face opening World Cup warm-up opponents Ireland on Saturday.

Brian O’Driscoll has urged Ireland’s fringe players to make their presence felt at the World Cup.

Brian O’Driscoll expects to lead Ireland out in their World Cup opener against the United States on September 11.

England captain Lewis Moody heaped praise on Scotland after Martin Johnson’s side secured a dramatic 16-12 victory in today’s World Cup Pool B clash in Auckland.

Andres Iniesta today reiterated his desire to be reunited with Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona next season after the two players combined to win the World Cup for Spain on Sunday.

England coach Fabio Capello praised the spirit of his side after their 1-0 win over Slovenia booked their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup finals.

Germany coach Joachim Low is confident nerves will not be an issue for his young side as they look to keep alive their World cup dream against Ghana in Johannesburg tomorrow.

Orlando Engelaar was one of four players to miss out as Holland boss Bert van Marwijk made the final cut to his 23-man World Cup squad today.

Plans to build a £92m (€110.2m) stadium for England’s World Cup bid were in doubt today after campaigners won a significant victory in their bid to protect the site from development.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has rejected claims that Diego Maradona was forced out of the Argentina job by player power, insisting the former boss had the full respect of his squad.

Pablo Zabaleta sees no reason why Argentina caretaker boss Sergio Batista cannot be handed the reins on a permanent basis and go on to take them to the 2014 World Cup.

France striker Nicolas Anelka has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to defend the 1-0 advantage they hold over the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off second leg.