FIFA.com - News

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.

Salahuddin dreaming of Bangladeshi progress

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:42:00 GMT

Kazi Salahuddin, President of the Bangladeshi FA, paid a visit to the Home of FIFA on Thursday. He spoke to FIFA.com about his aims and dreams for his country’s national team.

Sabella: Messi freedom is the key

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:30:00 GMT

Alejandro Sabella says Lionel Messi must be given freedom if he is to play his best football for Argentina, who have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of their international friendly against Nigeria.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:27:00 GMT

Singapore celebrated, while China PR were among the biggest winners as the final places in Asia's third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers were decided. FIFA.com rounds up the action.

China score six, Saudis hit five

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Asia's big guns in the preliminary qualification for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ saw their names make it into Saturday's Preliminary Draw with big wins as Saudi Arabia and China scored five and six apiece.

Asian hopefuls in do or die deciders

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Asia's second round of qualifiers reaching a climax today, with no fewer than 30 sides battling it out on the road to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. You can follow the action live on FIFA.com.

Asian favourites draw first blood

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Asia, which saw the traditional favourites take an advantage over their underdog opponents.

Thirty hopefuls begin road to round three

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Some intriguing second round, first legs are in store, with Kuwait-Philippines, Qatar-Vietnam, Singapore-Malaysia and United Arab Emirates-India catching the eye.

Asian media laud progression

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:03:00 GMT

Now that the Asian preliminary qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil has been completed, FIFA.com takes a look at the reaction in the media to the results so far.

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.

Reaching new heights

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:37:00 GMT

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™ will once again throw the spotlight on 16 of the world’s best female teams, but FIFA World takes a closer look at the development of women’s football beyond the game’s elite sides.

Iran says farewell to ‘The Legend’

Thu, 26 May 2011 09:58:00 GMT

Legendary Iranian Nasser Hejazi, who was named Asia’s second-best goalkeeper of the last century, passed away this week following a battle against lung cancer. FIFA.com reflects on his career and moving funeral.

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.

Hong Kong finally qualify, champions Qatar follow

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:06:00 GMT

Hong Kong ended a 52-year wait to reach the knockout rounds of the Asian Games after a 4-1 win over Bangladesh, while Qatar topped Group D after a 2-0 win over neighbours Kuwait.

India, Bangladesh on brink of games exit

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:15:00 GMT

India gave defending Asian Games title holders Qatar a run for their money in their Group D tie, with the Middle Eastern side needing two late goals to run out 2-1 winners, all but eliminating India, with Bangladesh facing a similar fate.

Football crazy, football mad

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:34:00 GMT

Just a few days before Planet Football gets bitten by the four-year bug, FIFA.com takes a look at football crazy folk from all four corners of the globe.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Maiden triumph for hosts India

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:01:00 GMT

India lifted the Nehru Cup for the first time, but there was also reason to cheer for losing finalists Syria and the other three participating teams.

India beat Bangladesh in Nehru Cup

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:58:00 GMT

India defeated Bangladesh 1-0 in a scrappy encounter to record their second successive win in the five-nation Nehru Cup football tournament here on Monday.

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.

Eastern duo lead the way

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:39:00 GMT

Japan and Korea Republic set the standard for Asia by qualifying for the final stage of Olympic qualifiers with two matches to spare.

Shandong & Al Wahda set the standard

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:54:00 GMT

China's Shandong Luneng and Al Wahda of UAE maintained their winning streaks, while a Japanese duo edged closer to the last eight.

Ecstasy for east Asians

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:03:00 GMT

Japan, Korea DPR and Korea Republic yesterday celebrated victories in the latest round of qualifiers for Beijing 2008.

Giantkillers emerge as favourites fall

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:07:00 GMT

It was a day of surprises in Asia as several of the AFC Champions League favourites suffered stunning setbacks in Wednesday's second round matches.

AFC chief Bin Hammam re-elected to new four-year term

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 05:44:00 GMT

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam has been re-elected unopposed to a second four-year term, with his position to be formalised in May.

Asian celebration for Sydney

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:31:00 GMT

Inaugural winners Al Ain lost out, but the main Champions League headline-grabbers were Sydney FC, who tasted their first Asian victory away to Shanghai Shenhua.

Aussies bolster Asian field

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:16:00 GMT

Matchday 1 of the 2007 AFC Champions League sees Aussie duo Sydney FC and Adelaide United come up against the cream of Asian club football for the first time.

Bangladesh kicks off professional league

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:43:00 GMT

Bangladesh's first professional football championship kicked off Friday aimed at boosting the sport's flagging appeal in the cricket-obsessed country.

Zidane hails Asian football's progress

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 12:34:00 GMT

Zinedine Zidane has praised Asian football's recent progress, adding that players like Shunsuke Nakamura are inspiring a generation.