Brazil

Soccer's international governing body has approved Winnipeg's plans for next July's Pan American Games soccer matches, after organisers agreed to improve the facilities.

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.

Soccer legend Pele has confirmed his support for South Africa's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup, saying he thought Brazil could be ready to stage the finals four years later.

A vice-president of world soccer governing body FIFA has blasted the decision to delay the vote on who will win the battle to host the 2006 World Cup.

The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro wants to organise the 2007 Pan American Games.

Exposure to the colour yellow immediately before a race is shown to help a significant majority of athletes improve results during training, according to a survey carried out by psychologists at the request of UK athletics major sponsor Norwich Union.

Chile are to press ahead with a planned bid to host the 2010 World Cup, having described a proposed rival candidature from Brazil as "pathetic".

Brazil's Interlagos circuit, due to host a Formula One Grand Prix on April 1, has been told to implement minor safety changes by March 15.

The Netherlands were named the team of the year by FIFA, soccer's ruling body, on Thursday.

The Brazilian Golf Confederation has signed a five-year rights deal with Brazilian sports marketing company Speed Sports for the country?s first golf tour.

Brazilian domestic soccer could be wiped out for the rest of the year because of a complex legal battle involving Brasilia club Gama.

Germany and South Africa emerged as clear joint favourites to stage the 2006 World Cup on Friday after the leaking of a confidential FIFA report ranking them as technically the best bids.

SportsYA!, the Spanish and Portuguese language internet sports portal, has announced a partnership with two of Brazil's most famous sports stars, Formula One World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi and soccer international Zico.

Countries bidding for the 2006 soccer World Cup are beginning the countdown to decision day ? exactly 100 days away.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given Brazil a timely boost in the race to host the 2006 World Cup.

The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Tony Blair and film star Hugh Grant will lead attempts to impress international soccer chiefs who will inspect England's World Cup 2006 facilities this week.