Fans are already contemplating their team's prospects after the draw for the opening round of the 32-team tournament.

The ball for the 2006 World Cup finals will be largely in traditional black and white for the first time since 1994.

FIFA's World Cup Organising Committee will decide on Tuesday the seedings for the 32 finalists involved in next year's tournament in Germany.

A round-up of weekend action in the main European leagues.

Indian women's team did not find a place in the top 10.

The World champions beat the host nation 3-2 to enter the Confederations Cup final.

Brazilian-born Francileudo dos Santos scored twice to give the Africans a 2-0 win over Australia in the Confederations Cup.

Mexico will probably be without captain Rafael Marquez when they meet Brazil in Sunday's Confederations Cup clash.

Italy's Roberto Rosetti will take charge of the opening match at the Confederations Cup between Argentina and Tunisia in Cologne.

Take the Rediff Business Quiz to check how much you know about the luxury car brand Porsche.

A puppet lion designed with the help of the Jim Henson Company and going by the name of Goleo VI will be the official mascot of the 2006 Football World Cup.

The former Germany goalkeeping trainer criticised coach Juergen Klinsmann for demoting Oliver Kahn and giving Jens Lehmann an equal shot at the position.

The World champions and European champions meet in the group stage of the tournament while hosts Germany meet Argentina.

The world number two underwent an operation to remove a cyst on her left wrist.

A factbox on Anastasia Myskina, who became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.\n\n

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide on the venue for the Games in July 2005.

London has been accepted as a candidate to stage the 2012 Summer Olympics, along with Paris, New York, Moscow, and Madrid.

A top U.S. Olympic official has assured the IOC that his country is committed to the fight against performance-enhancing drugs.

When it comes to pressure, the Indian hockey team doesn't believe in removing the stopper.

The 22-year-old Moscovite beat Amelie Mauresmo in the final.

The tennis legend and partner Svetlana Kuznetsova reached the second round of the Sparkassen Cup.

New York, Madrid, Havana, Leipzig and London are already in the race.

The government said it would back the Olympic project to the hilt.