Spain regained the top spot in the FIFA rankings after winning its first World Cup title, and the United States moved up one place to 13th.

France striker Thierry Henry joined the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday in a multi-year deal.

Goal.com: The champions of Europe are now champions of the world, and the inevitable question is asked - are Spain the greatest international team of all time? Are they better than their grand predecessors?

English referee Howard Webb says he is satisfied with his handling of the World Cup final, despite criticism from Netherlands players after their 1-0 defeat by Spain.

Hundreds of thousands of fans lined Amsterdam's web of canals to cheer the World Cup runner-up Netherlands as the team cruised the waterways, swigging beer and blowing vuvuzelas, in an open-top boat on Tuesday.

World Cup television viewership rose 41 percent over four years ago for English-language telecasts in the United States, with Spain's 1-0 overtime victory over the Netherlands setting a record for a men's soccer game.

On the field of play, South Africa fared worse than any host nation in World Cup history. Off the field, it was a resounding winner, overcoming past strife and present troubles to charm the world with pluck, hard work and warmth.

World Cup television viewership rose 41 percent over four years ago for English-language telecasts in the United States, with Spain's 1-0 overtime victory over the Netherlands setting a record for a men's soccer game.

Spain erupted with its biggest fiesta in memory Monday when its football team returned to a jubilant nation after winning the World Cup, giving elated Spaniards a break from months of economic gloom and political squabbling.

Thrilled and emotional after Spain won the World Cup, during a live post-match interview goalkeeper Iker Casillas planted a kiss on a TV reporter, his girlfriend Sara Carbonero.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -Players from the Netherlands and Spain should have behaved better during the World Cup final, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Monday.

Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs - all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final - is going to retire.