It might come as a surprise to the folk at Preston North End but there's an outside chance they'll be hosting a few matches from the 2006 World Cup finals at their Deepdale ground, if South Africa win the right to host the tournament. Why? Well, 2006: Africa's Call, a new brochure issued by the South African FA, naughtily includes a picture of Preston's Deepdale ground among the stadiums they are using to promote their bid.

So, nothing to stop the FAI entering the contest and using pictures of the San Siro, Nou Camp, the Maracana, Eircom Park and other fictitious Irish stadiums to boost their hopes, eh?