FIFA.com - News

Talismanic Arezou's high hopes for Afghanistan

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:26:00 GMT

Afghanistan striker Balal Arezou has high aspirations for his country's success in southern Asia, and FIFA.com recently caught up with the talismanic goal scorer to discuss the progress and development of the game in Afghanistan.

Croatia and Ecuador on the up

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT

The April edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking sees movement within the top ten, as Ecuador enter for the first time and Croatia climb to their highest position since 1998.

FIFA’s investment in Afghanistan pays-off

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:32:00 GMT

An impressive climb in the latest Ranking, a consistent increase in registered players, a newly created football league and a wider recognition for women’s football stand out amid Afghanistan’s promising development.

Additional transparency for better development

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The latest meeting of the FIFA Development Committee met this week approving numerous development projects across the globe, as well as establishing new rules in order to bring about even further transparency.

Asians soar as Colombia go outright sixth

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:01:00 GMT

Afghanistan rocketed 48 places into their highest-ever position on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as India and Sri Lanka also made significant progress, while Colombia broke clear of Portugal.

Familiar trio head up Asian contenders

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:50:00 GMT

Five days of action in Doha produced countless thrilling matches and an avalanche of goals but when the dust settled it was three familiar names in Iran, Japan and United Arab Emirates who had won through to Tahiti 2013.

Asian giants face challenge in Doha

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:31:00 GMT

The Qatari capital Doha is set to host the AFC qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013, as teams hope for one of the three tickets to the event in September. FIFA.com previews the qualifiers.

Blatter: Football must bring people together

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:59:00 GMT

Addressing the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala audience and the innumerable people watching around the world, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter discussed the fight against racism and what makes a champion.

Lali: Football can achieve great things

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 07:55:00 GMT

After three decades of war and ethnic struggles, Afghanistan is now looking to football as a way of uniting people, as former international Ali Askar Lali explains to FIFA.com.

Tough draw for Chinese champions

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande have been placed in a group containing Jeonbuk Motors and Urawa Red Diamonds when the 2013 AFC Champions League draw was made today.

A month of FIFA development: October 2012

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:21:00 GMT

FIFA.com brings you our monthly round-up of the most recent development projects and events during October.

What is international football’s biggest rivalry?

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know what you feel is the biggest rivalry in the international game.

Toofan Harirod claim first Afghan title

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:07:00 GMT

Toofan (Typhoon) Harirod, representing the western province of Herat, landed the first Afghan championship on Friday after seeing off Simorgh Alborz.

New hope for Afghanistan

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:30:00 GMT

In Afghanistan, where women suffered discrimination for many years, playing football is one of an increasing number of rights they now enjoy - as FIFA.com reveals in this latest edition of Video of the Week.

Chetri shines as India retain crown

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:43:00 GMT

With striker Sunil Chetri at the fore, India once again proved themselves kings of their region, but the 2011 edition of the SAFF Championship will also be remembered for Afghanistan’s historic progress.

India down Afghans to retain SAFF title

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:07:00 GMT

India have successfully defended their South Asian Football Federation title after comfortably winning the final 4-0 against Afghanistan, who conceded a flurry of goals once they were reduced to ten men.

FIFA awards further TV rights for 2015-2022

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:16:00 GMT

The FIFA Executive Committee has decided on sales and distribution of FIFA media rights between 2015 and 2022 in Australia, Canada and the Caribbean, and awarded the sales representation for selected territories in Asia to Infront Sports & Media.

Afghan star Hadid astride two worlds

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com tells the remarkable story of striker Mustafa Hadid, who plays international football for Afghanistan despite being an amateur and plying his trade in the fifth tier of German football.

A historic day for Palestinian football

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:31:00 GMT

Palestinian football took major step in its development as a footballing nation, after it hosted its first ever FIFA World Cup™ qualifier, where they drew 1-1 with Afghanistan.

Favourites progress as stars shine

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:27:00 GMT

The first round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil has been completed, seeing a barrel-load of goals scored around Asia, with the likes of big-guns Vietnam being joined by first-time qualifiers Philippines.

Stern tests for Asian hopefuls

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:33:00 GMT

The chance to mix with Asia's big guns is up for grabs this weekend, with 16 of the continent's minnows battling it out in the second legs of the preliminary qualifying round.

Preliminary journey kicks off in Asia

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:03:00 GMT

The first round of qualifying for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ kicked off in Asia on Wednesday, with Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh convincing in their respective openers. FIFA.com reviews all the action.

Vietnam convince on preliminary road

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:35:00 GMT

Vietnam, Bangladesh and Cambodia are in comfortable position to advance to the second round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ in Asia, with respective wins over Macau, Pakistan and Laos.

Sixteen hopefuls embark on Brazil path

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:29:00 GMT

Asia's lowest-ranked teams are set to begin continental qualifying for the 2014 tournament, with Sri Lanka-Philippines, Bangladesh-Pakistan and Malaysia-Chinese Taipei among the most appetising matches on the menu.

Afghanistan embrace new dawn

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:39:00 GMT

A victory over Sri Lanka helped Afghanistan climb ten places to 164th - their highest-ever position - on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

No change at the top as Senegal soar

Wed, 18 May 2011 09:01:00 GMT

With very little action, there was minimal change on the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. However, Senegal did leap into the top 50 for the first time in over two years and Afghanistan also made ground.

Brazil 2014 draw stirs Asian hopefuls

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Asian qualifying draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ which has thrown up a host of intriguing match-ups as some of the continents smaller footballing nations seek a share of the spotlight.

Asia's Brazil 2014 draw made

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:00 GMT

The AFC has conducted the draw for Asia’s first and second round qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

Asian Zone to play preliminary round for Brazil 2014

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:38:00 GMT

The members of the Asian Football Confederation are gearing up to begin the race for FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, with the draw for qualification set to take place on 30 March in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Bengal Tigers roar again

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:01:00 GMT

After a dearth of regional success Bangladesh has found form at the right time to claim bragging rights by winning the recent South Asian Games.

India reign in South Asia

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:18:00 GMT

India reclaimed the South Asian Football Federation Championship with a hard-fought final victory over last year's winners, the Maldives.

Beach soccer lays roots in Dubai

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:31:00 GMT

November 2009 will go down as a historic date for beach soccer in Dubai, with minds now focused on developing the discipline in the UAE.

Zimbabwe foiled by Ghana's new Pele

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:13:00 GMT

The eldest son of legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew rescued Ghana in a draw with Zimbabwe as surprise results continued at the African Championship of Nations

Heavy blows for Asian giants

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Surprise results were on the menu in Asia as Japan and Saudi Arabia were both beaten on a Wednesday full of thrills and spills.

Big wins in Asia

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:58:00 GMT

Gamba Osaka came out on top of a seven-goal thriller on Wednesday while J-League champions Kashima Antlers strolled to another huge victory.

Afghans fall for women’s football

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:16:00 GMT

Idealism and enthusiasm in equal measure fuel Klaus Stark's passion for Afghan football. FIFA.com spoke to the devoted German coach.

What is the most exciting league?

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:58:00 GMT

Planet football is home to a number of captivating national championships. But which, do you feel, is the most most exciting league in the world?

Blatter welcomes AFF President

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:13:00 GMT

On Monday 28 January 2008, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter received an Afghanistan Football Federation delegation led by President Karim Keramuddin.

Asian route marked out

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:42:00 GMT

Asia's FIFA World Cup preliminaries have been decided, with the continent's big five set to start with home fixtures against the groups' underdogs.

Asia's ups and downs

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:51:00 GMT

The Asian confederation has produced more than its fair share of joy and drama in FIFA World Cup qualifying down through the years.

Favourites clear first hurdle

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:25:00 GMT

Despite some courageous underdog attempts, the favourites all completed aggregate wins to clear the first hurdle in the race to South Africa 2010.

Aspirants out to preserve dream

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:30:20 GMT

Fifteen decisive first round, second leg matches will take place on Sunday as Asia takes a step towards determining its representatives in South Africa.

Goals galore in Asian qualifiers

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:58:00 GMT

Thailand, Singapore and a west Asian trio were among the biggest winners as Asia's FIFA World Cup hopefuls set out on the road to South Africa.

Asian hopefuls target South Africa

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:20:00 GMT

From 8 October, the Asian Zone preliminary round first-leg qualifiers for the South Africa 2010 will kick off in the world's biggest continent.

Quartet make home advantage count

Thu, 24 May 2007 10:01:00 GMT

Home advantage proved decisive as Sepahan, Uwara Reds, Al Karama and Seongnam Chunma booked their passage to the last eight of the competition.

Japan's Urawa into Champions League quarters

Wed, 23 May 2007 13:59:00 GMT

J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds drew 0-0 with Sydney FC on Wednesday to clinch a place in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

Frontale make history as trio progress

Thu, 10 May 2007 14:10:00 GMT

Kawasaki Frontale were among the three teams who claimed places alongside defending champions Jeonbuk Motors in the last eight of the competition.

AFC chief re-elected

Tue, 08 May 2007 07:08:00 GMT

Mohamed Bin Hammam was elected unopposed to a second four-year term as Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president.

Quartet edge closer to last eight

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:02:00 GMT

After a tense and hard-fought fourth round of matches, four teams have inched to within touching distance of the quarter-finals.

Asian Cup ticket sales start

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:25:00 GMT

Tickets have gone on sale online for the AFC Asian Cup finals, where the presence of Australia has increased interest in the tournament to new heights.