Japan

The global appeal of the World Cup has been shown with the television ratings and audience shares rising significantly, particularly in Western Europe, according to the latest data.

World Cup fever continues with the group phases in Korea & Japan, whilst elsewhere, the NBA and MLB Stanley Cup Finals reach a climax in the USA, the ITF holds its AGM in Marrakech and the US Golf Open begins at Long Island in New York.

World Cup fever continues with the group phases in Korea & Japan, whilst elsewhere, the NBA and MLB Stanley Cup Finals reach a climax in the USA, the ITF holds its AGM in Marrakech and the US Golf Open begins at Long Island in New York.

An Argentinian court has ordered soft drink manufacturer Pepsi to cease the use of an advertisement, which implied an official sponsorship relationship with the World Cup.

An Argentinian court has ordered soft drink manufacturer Pepsi to cease the use of an advertisement, which implied an official sponsorship relationship with the World Cup.

FIFA is confident that a "marked improvement of the (World Cup) ticket situation" will now take place in Japan following an agreement between the organisers and its ticketing agents.

FIFA is confident that a "marked improvement of the (World Cup) ticket situation" will now take place in Japan following an agreement between the organisers and its ticketing agents.

A representative of the World Cup Ticketing Bureau has defended the role of UK-based firm Byrom in the on-going ticketing row which has blighted the start of the tournament.

A representative of the World Cup Ticketing Bureau has defended the role of UK-based firm Byrom in the on-going ticketing row which has blighted the start of the tournament.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has praised organisers of the World Cup, and proclaimed the event so far so good.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has praised organisers of the World Cup, and proclaimed the event so far so good.

Thousands of tickets for upcoming first stage games in the soccer World Cup have been made available as FIFA and local organisers battle to avoid swathes of empty seats.

Thousands of tickets for upcoming first stage games in the soccer World Cup have been made available as FIFA and local organisers battle to avoid swathes of empty seats.

The row over tickets for soccer’s World Cup is set to spill over into the law courts, after the South Korean government threatened legal action against FIFA’s ticket agent.

The row over tickets for soccer’s World Cup is set to spill over into the law courts, after the South Korean government threatened legal action against FIFA’s ticket agent.

World attention is very much centred on the first group phase at the FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan but elsewhere the French Open reaches a climax at Roland Garros and yachts competing in the nine month Volvo Ocean Race are expected to cross the finish line in Kiel.