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'Everybody joined in watching the penalties on my mobile, it was a lot of fun' Andrej Plenkovic said

EU leaders watch WC penalties on Croatian PM's phone

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's mind was elsewhere at a summit of the European Union's southern nations in Spain this evening - namely on his country's stunning World Cup win against Brazil.

News Lens • 09 Dec 22

Big brands pay big money to put their names centre stage at FIFA's World Cup

World Cup still big business despite advertiser unease

Controversy around the hosts - and the resulting move to winter - has dented advertisers' interest in the World Cup, but even still it remains a multi-billion-dollar event, writes Adam Maguire.

Business • 20 Nov 22

At least 10,000 litres of water will be needed every day for each of the World Cup stadium pitches

Is the World Cup really carbon neutral?

Football's World Cup organisers have claimed that the tournament will be environmentally friendly and carbon neutral. However, some climatologists are expressing doubts over those claims.

World • 17 Nov 22

Micheál Martin said the Government will do all it can

Taoiseach says World Cup bid 'exciting news'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that the Irish and UK bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup is very exciting news.

Ireland • 02 Mar 21

The question of alcohol at the World Cup has dogged the Qatari organisers

Alcohol at 2022 World Cup - for those who can pay

Alcohol will be available to football fans in stadiums at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but so far only to those purchasing hospitality packages, the contractor behind the premium offerings has said.

World • 01 Feb 21

Theresa May was speaking in Belfast today

May backs joint World Cup bid with Ireland post-Brexit

Theresa May has said a joint UK and Ireland bid to host the football World Cup would help strengthen relations across the Irish Sea post-Brexit.

Brexit • 05 Feb 19

The Taoiseach said Ireland is well used to hosting big events such as the Ryder Cup and the Special Olympics

Taoiseach welcomes idea of joint World Cup bid

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he welcomes any initiative to jointly host the 2030 World Cup by the football associations of the UK and Ireland, and would be very excited at such a prospect.

Ireland • 29 Sep 18

JD Wetherspoon said its like-for-like sales climbed 5% during the 12 month period

Wetherspoon warns of rising costs this year

UK pub chain J D Wetherspoon has today reported an increase in full-year profit as a record heatwave brought in more customers, but the group said it expects higher costs this year.

Business • 14 Sep 18

Carlsberg's total sales in the second quarter rose to 18.3 billion Danish crowns (€2.45 billion)

Carlsberg Q2 sales boosted by World Cup

Danish brewer Carlsberg has posted better-than-expected second-quarter sales and raised full-year profit outlook, buoyed by strong sales in Russia during the World Cup.

Business • 16 Aug 18

Irish women's hockey team won silver at the Hockey World Cup

Thousands attend homecoming for Ireland's hockey heroes

Ireland's women's hockey team was given a hero's welcome in Dublin city centre after winning a silver medal at the Hockey World Cup.

Hockey • 06 Aug 18

The three were found guilty of 'grossly violating the rules for spectators' behaviour'

Russia jails Pussy Riot members over pitch invasion

Russia has jailed members of Pussy Riot feminist punk group for 15 days after they invaded the pitch during the World Cup final dressed in police uniforms

World • 16 Jul 18

The video has amassed over one million views on Facebook (Courtesy of Zagreb Fire Department)

Croatian fire safety video lights up social media

As the world follows Croatia's World Cup journey, a Zagreb video highlighting fire safety during the tournament has lit up social media.

News Lens • 12 Jul 18

The study measured the World Cup competitors by analysing their inflation, unemployment, stock market, spread of credit default swaps and Gini coefficient

Iceland crowned as champs of economic World Cup

The World Cup has only just kicked off, but a surprise winner has already emerged - Iceland.

Business • 15 Jun 18

The Buenos Aires gig was part of a world tour to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the band's legendary "Joshua Tree" album

U2 delay gig for World Cup qualifier

U2 delayed the start of their concert in Buenos Aires last night to allow their fans to watch Argentina's do-or-die World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in Quito.

News • 11 Oct 17

Amnesty: Abuse of migrant workers stains football

A new report by Amnesty International alleges systematic abuse of migrant workers redeveloping the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for the 2022 World Cup.

News • 31 Mar 16

Nine current and former FIFA officials have been indicted

FIFA suspends officials after corruption probes

Seven powerful soccer figures were arrested today on US corruption charges and face extradition from Switzerland, where authorities also announced a criminal investigation into the awarding of the next two World Cups.

News • 27 May 15

The recommendation is expected to be ratified next month

FIFA team backs November-December Qatar World Cup

The FIFA taskforce looking into dates for the Qatar World Cup has recommended a shorter tournament to be staged in November and December 2022, the head of the Asian Football Confederation has said.

News • 24 Feb 15

Heineken's sales and profits were broadly flat in western Europe

Heineken sees sales growth slowing in 2015

Heineken, the world's third-largest brewer, forecast its beer sales and profit margins would grow by a slower rate in 2015.

Business • 11 Feb 15

William Hill expecting operating profit this year to come in at the top end of market forecasts

William Hill's net revenues up 23% in Q3

William Hill said it expected operating profit this year to come in at the top end of market forecasts after the soccer World Cup helped boost its third-quarter results.

Business • 21 Oct 14

Betfair's CEO Breon Corcoran says company confident on full year expectations

Betfair profit boosted by World Cup betting

Betting on the soccer World Cup helped to drive quarterly revenues and profit at Betfair to record levels, the online gambling company said.

Business • 04 Sep 14

UTV Ireland is expected to incur a loss of £2-3m in its first year but become profitable in the second half of 2015

Radio pushes UTV Media's revenue higher

Radio and television broadcaster UTV Media has reported a 13% rise in first-half revenue as its British radio stations drew in fans for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Business • 26 Aug 14

Heineken reports better than expected H1 operating profits

Cost savings drive Heineken H1 profits

Heineken, the world's third-largest brewer, today reported better than expected operating profit in the first half of the year.

Business • 20 Aug 14

Ladbrokes reports a 'good' World Cup performance

Ladbrokes reports good World Cup after online woes

Ladbrokes said its first-half group operating profit fell by a third to £56.8m after it was hit by switching its online operations to a new platform.

Business • 12 Aug 14

William Hill's new chief executive - James Henderson - takes the company's reigns from today

William Hill sees revenue rise following World Cup

William Hill, Britain's largest bookmaker, said betting on the soccer World Cup this year had increased by 80% from the last time the tournament was played.

Business • 01 Aug 14

ITV is home to a number of Britain's more popular television programmes

World Cup gives ITV 11% earnings boost

Britain's biggest free-to-air commercial broadcaster ITV has posted a better-than-expected 11% rise in first-half adjusted earnings, helped by the draw of the soccer World Cup.

Business • 30 Jul 14