The Russian national soccer team is in the top 10 of the FIFA rankings for the first time since 1997.

AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka have been named FIFA World Player 2007, beating fellow nominees Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

A total of national soccer teams discovered the hurdles they must overcome to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ today when the FIFA Preliminary Draw took place in Durban. It proved to be a thrilling ceremony, decorated by the presence of iconic figures from within the sport and performances that attested to the magical tournament that South Africa promises to deliver.

Brazil has today been named Host Nation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ by the FIFA Executive Committee. The South American country was the only one bidding to host the tournament, which was due to be staged on the continent under FIFA's rotation system.

The International Football Federation has recommended Brazil to host the World Cup in 2014, after inspectors toured the South American nation.

Germany crushed Argentina with 11-0 on the FIFA Women's World Cup opening game in China. The women's national soccer team of Germany won confidently in the FIFA Women's World Cup in China. Germany and Argentina are both in Group A. The game was played in Shanghai.

Nigerians are celebrating the spectacular victory of the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria over the U-17 national team of Spain at the 12th FIFA U-17 World Cup Tournament, on Sunday, September 9, 2007, in the Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea. And this makes it the third time that Nigerian has won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Tournament.

With little pomp and fanfare, lone candidate Brazil submitted its bid Tuesday to host the 2014 World Cup. The Brazil delegation showcased its plans in a 30-minute presentation before handing over a 900-page bid document to FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The delegation included Brazilian soccer federation president Ricardo Teixeira, former Brazil player Romario and author Paulo Coelho.

Robinho will play for Real Madrid in its Spanish league title-deciding finale after receiving permission from FIFA, Spanish media reported on Wednesday.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho will headline a global lineup of superstar athletes to be featured on the front packs of FIFA 08, the next chapter in the internationally acclaimed videogame franchise from EA SPORTSTM.

Veteran striker Romario scored the 1,000th goal of his career Sunday, converting a 48th-minute penalty in Vasco da Gama's 3-1 victory over Sport of Recife in the second round of the Brazilian national championship.

Brazil has officially been named as the only bidder to stage the 2014 World Cup after handing over a bidding agreement form at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich. World football's governing body confirmed Brazil's status as sole bidder in a statement released after the handover.