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.

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.

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.

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

There will be a significant Irish on-field presence at this summer’s World Cup in Russia with a Sligo-owned firm selected to install six of the 12 pitches used at the tournament, including the final.

The Irish men's hockey team has finished in 8th place at the BDO World Cup Qualifier,in Changzhou, China, having lost 2-1 this morning to Belgium in the 7th/8th play off.

The 2008 World Cup in Australia will cost an estimated £9.7m but is set to become the most successful, it was claimed today.

Heineken Cup quarter-finalists Ulster have announced the signing of New Zealand prop John Afoa.

Sweden stars Fredrik Ljungberg and Olof Mellberg will be sent home from the World Cup if there is any repeat of their training ground bust up, says the team’s ‘psychological advisor’ Johan Plate.

The World Cup has been declared clean from drugs so far after no positive tests were found in the first 17 days of the tournament.

Frank Skinner says Ant and Dec's official England World Cup song We're On The Ball is "terrible."

Brazil full-back Roberto Carlos hopes the world champions will play more exhilarating football in the knockout stages of the World Cup – but insisted results will always come first.

Ireland's opponents will be Croatia, Denmark, Italy or Switzerland.

This German fan was so busy playing up for the cameras she never spotted what was happening beside her.

Cristiano Ronaldo has given Portugal a boost on the eve of the World Cup by resuming training.

Pooch has become an instant internet hit.

England captain Lewis Moody will not play in the World Cup opener against Argentina after failing to recover from a knee injury in time for Saturday’s match in Dunedin.