Japan

FIFA is in a financially 'healthier position than ever before', despite massively increased costs from staging the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, the governing body has said.

The first signs of the mass appeal of the World Cup to UK television audiences has come with the viewing figures for highlights coverage of England's warm-up game against South Korea.

The first signs of the mass appeal of the World Cup to UK television audiences has come with the viewing figures for highlights coverage of England's warm-up game against South Korea.

US marketing company Electric Artists (EA) have signed a deal with FIFA to promote the official website of this summer's World Cup.

US marketing company Electric Artists (EA) have signed a deal with FIFA to promote the official website of this summer's World Cup.

FIFA faces another embarrassment in the run-up to the World Cup after a delay in the ticketing process means many fans face flying to the Far East without tickets.

FIFA faces another embarrassment in the run-up to the World Cup after a delay in the ticketing process means many fans face flying to the Far East without tickets.

The English Football Association's much-trumpeted new website failed in its biggest test this morning when it crashed under the weight of four million visitors trying to find out who had been named in England's soccer squad for this summer's World Cup.

The English Football Association's much-trumpeted new website failed in its biggest test this morning when it crashed under the weight of four million visitors trying to find out who had been named in England's soccer squad for this summer's World Cup.

Following an on-site inspection, soccer governing body FIFA has expressed its contentment with the security arrangements ahead of this summer's World Cup.

The International Gymnastics Federation Council meets in Tokyo to announce the venue for the 2003 Rythmic Gymnastics World Championships, the International Ice Hockey Federation hold their annual congress announcing the host city of the 2007 World Championships, the 47th General Assembly of FIBA Europe takes place in Ostende and the International Badminton Federation holds its AGM in Guangzhou in China.

FIFA will be beaming highlights of this summer's World Cup on its official website to paid subscribers after it struck a deal with KirchSport and Yahoo!.

FIFA presidential challenger Issa Hayatou has promised to cut the number of South American countries at future World Cups if he defeats Sepp Blatter in the May 29 elections.

Fast-food chain McDonald's has become the second company, after Carlsberg, to sponsor UEFA's Euro 2004 soccer championships in Portugal.

Brazilian soccer legend PelC) will host a series of televised highlights shows throughout the World Cup tournament in Japan and Korea.

The English Football Association (FA) has agreed a multi-million dollar bonus package with the England soccer team.

The South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has expressed his concern that yesterday's tragic plane crash in the country could significantly affect the preparations for the soccer World Cup.

The English Football Association (FA) has signed the third sponsor in its new elite commercial partners group - fast-food chain McDonalds.