September 29 - Mexico has withdrawn its bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, claiming that they could not afford it during the current economic crisis.

Belgium and Holland as well as Spain and Portugal submitted joint bids.

September 29 - Mexico has withdrawn its bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, claiming that they could not afford it during the current economic crisis.

Belgium and Holland as well as Spain and Portugal submitted joint bids.

September 28 - Johan Cruyff (pictured) has delayed a decision on whether to become an ambassador for Belgium and the Holland joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup because he is unsure of how much support it has.

bid is already ranked behind that of its European rivals, England, Russia and another joint candiate, Spain

England, Australia, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia and a joint bid from Spain and

September 28 - Johan Cruyff (pictured) has delayed a decision on whether to become an ambassador for Belgium and the Holland joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup because he is unsure of how much support it has.

bid is already ranked behind that of its European rivals, England, Russia and another joint candiate, Spain

England, Australia, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia and a joint bid from Spain and

By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen September 28 - United States President Barack Obama (pictured) will travel here later this week to support Chicago’s bid to play host to the 2016 Olympics, the White House and the Chicago organisers announced today.

Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva will be part of the Rio team, King Juan Carlos of Spain

By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen September 28 - United States President Barack Obama (pictured) will travel here later this week to support Chicago’s bid to play host to the 2016 Olympics, the White House and the Chicago organisers announced today.

Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva will be part of the Rio team, King Juan Carlos of Spain

By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen September 28 - United States President Barack Obama (pictured) will travel here later this week to support Chicago’s bid to play host to the 2016 Olympics, the White House and the Chicago organisers announced today.

Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva will be part of the Rio team, King Juan Carlos of Spain

By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen September 28 - Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (pictured) will push Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Summer Games at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session here this week, his spokesman said today.

King Juan Carlos of Spain and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are due to go to Copenhagen

By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen September 28 - Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (pictured) will push Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Summer Games at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session here this week, his spokesman said today.

King Juan Carlos of Spain and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are due to go to Copenhagen

By Duncan Mackay in Copenhagen September 28 - Japan's new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (pictured) will push Tokyo's bid to host the 2016 Summer Games at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session here this week, his spokesman said today.

King Juan Carlos of Spain and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are due to go to Copenhagen

September 27 - Cadel Evans (pictured) became the first Australian to win road cycling's World Championship with an heroic last-lap charge as Britain's challenge withered on the vine.

win the rainbow jersey ahead of Russia's Alexandr Kolobnev, who took silver, and Joaquin Rodriguez of Spain

expectations in the Tour de France after finishing second in 2008 and was denied a win in the Tour of Spain

By Duncan Mackay September 27 - The Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid today started gearing up for its upcoming launch of the bid’s brand identity and website by wrapping two buildings in central Doha with the look and feel of the bid.

Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia and the United States plus joint bids from Belgium and Holland and Spain

By Duncan Mackay September 27 - The Qatar 2022 World Cup Bid today started gearing up for its upcoming launch of the bid’s brand identity and website by wrapping two buildings in central Doha with the look and feel of the bid.

Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia and the United States plus joint bids from Belgium and Holland and Spain

September 25 - Australia's chances of hosting the World Cup have been boosted following meetings in New York between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (pictured) and officials from countries key to the campaign, it has been claimed.

favourites for ahead of other European candidates Russia and joint bids from Belgium and Holland and Spain

September 25 - Australia's chances of hosting the World Cup have been boosted following meetings in New York between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (pictured) and officials from countries key to the campaign, it has been claimed.

favourites for ahead of other European candidates Russia and joint bids from Belgium and Holland and Spain