South Africa

The head of the Brazilian football federation has insisted that his country's economic crisis would not affect its bid for the 2006 World Cup.

The southern hemisphere's Super 12 competition will not be expanded for at least two years, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced.

South Africa is confident it will emerge as the sole African bidder to host the 2006 soccer World Cup, a move that would greatly boost its hopes of staging soccer's showcase, says bid chief Danny Jordaan.

South Africa?s path to staging soccer?s 2006 World Cup finals has got a little clearer after the country?s rugby bosses pledged their support to the bid by making its stadiums available.

Germany's bid to host the soccer World Cup in 2006 has received a boost after the Finance Ministry declared it would not tax the huge revenue the tournament would generate.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a formal appeal to FIFA, and to the presidents of the five other soccer confederations, for the 2006 World Cup finals to be awarded to Africa.

British broadcaster Talk Radio has stolen a march on the BBC's renowned Test Match Special by buying the rights to England's cricket test series against South Africa.

South Africa`s 2006 World Cup bid committee said it was vital for the future of soccer as a sport and the World Cup as a multi-billion dollar business that the African continent stage the finals in seven years' time.

"Morocco is officially a candidate for the World Cup finals in 2006," Youth and Sports Minister Ahmed Moussaoui stated yesterday.

South African media firm Primedia said it would pay 40 million rand ($6.6 million) for a major foothold in one of the country's top soccer clubs, continuing a global trend for media/sport tie-ups.

Egypt has confirmed it is out of the race to host soccer's World Cup in 2006, leaving six nations competing to stage the finals.

Nigeria withdrew their bid to host the World Cup Finals in 2006 to help South Africa win the right to stage the tournament, Nigerian sports minister Emeka Omeruah.

South African soccer officials have reacted with delight to Nigeria's decision to withdraw their bid to host the World Cup finals in 2006 and instead support the South African bid.

English soccer Premier League champions Manchester United have signed a deal with South African first division club FC Fortune to develop African youth players.

Power consumption surged to record levels in Sri Lanka last week when millions switched on their televisions to watch the World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and South Africa.

South Africa's cricketers, currently favourites to win the cricket World Cup, have backed the South African bid for the soccer World Cup in 2006.