Australia’s chances of hosting the 2018 World Cup have been boosted after Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy was appointed to the World Cup organising committee.

There has been Irish interest in the Rowing World Cup Regatta in Linz Austria.

Argentina goalkicker Felipe Contepomi has gone down with a bout of flu, just four days before his side’s World Cup quarter-final against Scotland in Paris.

BERTI VOGTS has insisted he has no intention of quitting as Scotland manager despite reports that he has been offered the opportunity to coach South Korea.

Porto midfielder Luis Gonzalez made his World Cup bow for one of the tournament favourites in this Group C encounter.

Ireland manager Brian Kerr has said he expects Steven Reid to be fully fit for tomorrow night's crucial World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry insists his future will be resolved before the World Cup finals in Germany.

IRB UNDER-19 WORLD CUP: DIVISION A RESULT:

England coach Clive Woodward today signed a new four-year deal with the Rugby Football Union which will keep him in the job until after the 2007 World Cup.

Belgium have been named the cleanest team at the World Cup after finishing top of Fifa's fair play table ahead of Sweden and Japan.

Irish manager Mick McCarthy has refused to accept the training facilities provided to the Irish team ahead of their World Cup last-16 showdown with Spain on Sunday.

Ireland have slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat in Pool A of the women's hockey World Cup in Perth, Australia, today.

German striker Memhet Scholl will not be travelling to the World Cup this summer despite making his comeback from injury over the weekend.

Steven Gerrard is unlikely to play in the World Cup, according to Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.

Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has scored England's fifth goal against Germany in their World Cup qualifier in Munich.

FIFA has just four weeks to save next year's Korea-Japan World Cup after the French insurance giant Axa said it would not be able to cover the event because of increased security risks.

Brazil have appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new coach.

NEW England supremo Andy Robinson is on a mission to make rugby union history after being appointed as Clive Woodward's successor.

Emily Kay has claimed a bronze medal in the Women’s Omnium event at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Milton, Canada.

France coach Raymond Domenech is delighted to be facing host nation South Africa in the 2010 World Cup.