(7 June 2006 8:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Global news agency AFP has struck a deal with mobile magazine developer Refresh Mobile to allow football fans to keep up to date with the World Cup via their phones.

AFP's deal with the mobile agency involves it supplying football-related content, including a World Cup diary, match previews, results and standings via mobile magazines.

Refresh Mobile is present in the UK. It plans to launch in Germany this week and by the end of the year in the US.

The magazines will be published twice daily and can be downloaded by texting a keyword to 63333.

AFP's partnership with Refresh Mobile is set to last beyond the World Cup with both parties involved in discussions about a continual service.

Despite having ad space available, Refresh has so far failed to sign up any brands for the AFP publication.

Refresh Mobile marketing director Elaine Devereux said that the company plans to take its mobile magazines to new markets in the near future.