Albania

Independent research by sponsorship consultants S:Comm Research has shown that England's last three World Cup qualifying matches boded well for the national team's array of commercial backers.

Greece?s soccer authorities braced themselves on Thursday for FIFA's decision on whether to ban Greek teams over government interference in the sport.

Greece rejected claims by soccer's world governing body FIFA that the government was meddling in Greek soccer, risking a ban from international competition.

Old Trafford will host England's World Cup qualifier with Greece on October 6, the Football Association announced on Friday.

The BBC is understood to have paid around #3m ($4.3m) for exclusive live TV and radio rights to England's World Cup soccer qualifier against Greece in June.

Newcastle United's St. James' Park will host England's World Cup qualifier against Albania, the FA has said.

Greek weightlifter Pyrros Dimas, one of only a trio of competitors to win three Olympic golds in the sport, was appointed to the 2004 Athens Games organising committee on Thursday.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has promised Albania financial aid to improve the country's impoverished football stadia.