FIFA.com - News

Arsenal go third as QPR, Reading remain on the brink

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:55:00 GMT

Arsenal capitalised on their numerical advantage when Steve Sidwell was sent off in the 12th minute to earn a 1-0 win at Fulham, while Queens Park Rangers and Reading both lost to further slip into the relegation zone.

Egypt leads African charge after fourth title

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:27:00 GMT

Egypt won the African U-20 Championship over the weekend seeing off three west African powers with the quartet to represent the continent at the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

Menessou and Benin set sights on history

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 06:08:00 GMT

FIFA.com chat with Benin defender Arsene Menessou as the Squirrels hunt breakthrough qualification for the FIFA World Cup.™

African aspirants resume journey

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:34:00 GMT

Burkina Faso and Ghana are just two of the sides hoping to make headway on the third matchday of action in the group stage of CAF qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

Glory within reach for African finalists

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 05:03:00 GMT

With four spots at this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey up for grabs, the eight African teams competing for the continental crown in Algeria know that there will be a thin line between disappointment and glory.

Pote: Brazil is still a long way off

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:45:00 GMT

With Benin surprisingly leading Group H in African qualifying for Brazil 2014, FIFA.com chatted exclusively with striker Mickael Pote, who dreams of reaching the showpiece event.

Busy year for African hopefuls

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:37:00 GMT

2012 has seen a few surprises in the African qualifying zone for the FIFA World Cup™ as the campaign reaches its midpoint. There's still all to play for in 2013 as the continent cuts down from 52 countries to five representatives.

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.

Hosts slam doors in AFCON preliminaries

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:41:00 GMT

Nigeria and Cameroon were among the big names to advance to the final round of 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, however seven-time African champions Egypt have it all to do in a fortnight.

Late goals go North Africa's way

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:29:00 GMT

Libya and Egypt both secured dramatic late wins on Sunday as Africa's FIFA World Cup™ qualifying group stage continued in thrilling fashion.

Crunch clashes come early in Africa

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:18:00 GMT

Algeria are just one of the African favourites making tricky away debuts this weekend in Brazil 2014 qualifying, while Ghana travel to face continental champions Zambia. FIFA.com previews a heavy schedule of crucial fixtures in Africa.

Bafana falter on day of frustration

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:49:00 GMT

It was a tough day for strikers in Africa as Bafana Bafana were held at home by Ethiopia, Nigeria just earned a win and no side managed more than a single goal.

African favourites seek home comfort

Thu, 31 May 2012 02:41:00 GMT

The Brazil 2014 preliminaries reach the group stage in Africa this weekend with a host of continental giants seeking to ease anxieties by making a positive start to their respective campaigns.

Amoros: We can be next African surprise

Wed, 30 May 2012 08:55:00 GMT

Benin coach Manuel Amoros, a FIFA World Cup veteran with France, says the Squirrels have expectations of competing on the global stage and are looking to get some payback against Mali this weekend.

Draws aplenty and one major surprise

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:44:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the weekend action in the CAF Champions League, where eight of 15 matches ended in draws and Berekum Chelsea of Ghana produced the stand-out result of the round.

Football and the net, a virtual match

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 GMT

The power of the internet to reach millions at the touch of a button is being used to often-ingenious effect in the football world, whether it is to rouse fans ahead of a big game or even recruit budding internationals.

Surprises continue in Africa

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:48:00 GMT

Nigeria struggled to a scoreless away draw, Cameroon needed a late goal to win and Kenya beat Togo as qualifying for next year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations got underway on Wednesday.

Congo DR take advantage, Nigeria held

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:27:00 GMT

Cape Verde Islands and Congo DR secured vital away wins over Madagascar and Seychelles in CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2013 qualifying, while Nigeria and Ethiopia were held to goalless draws with Rwanda and Benin respectively.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:04:00 GMT

Featuring Jeremie Janot on keeping warm during games, Ricardo Rocha on how his humorous mistake helped Brazil in 1994, Martin O’Neill on how his French sounds South Korean and Michael Rensing on Cologne’s disease.

Amoros named new Benin coach

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:28:00 GMT

Ex-France defender Manuel Amoros was on Thursday named new coach of Benin, replacing Edme Codjo, who had been in charge since August.

Expectations thrown in African whirlwind

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:26:00 GMT

Nigeria and South Africa will join Egypt and Cameroon on the outside of the continental championship as they both stumbled at home, while the likes of Niger and Libya confirmed unlikely spots in the finals.

Toure brothers lift Côte d’Ivoire

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:36:00 GMT

Kolo and Yaya Toure both scored to seal a 2-1 win for Côte d’Ivoire over Burundi, completing their perfect run in 2012 CAF African Cup of Nations qualifying, while Rwanda were boosted by a 1-0 win over Benin.

Duo qualify as final day looms

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:43:00 GMT

Senegal and Burkina Faso were the big winners over the weekend as the pair booked passage to the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but seven groups remain up for grabs with one qualifying round to go.

Niger edge closer, Uganda stumble

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:35:00 GMT

Niger edged closer to qualifying for next year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a win over South Africa, while Uganda lost to Angola and Nigeria beat Madagascar.

Burkinabe through, Egypt crash out

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:26:00 GMT

Burkina Faso booked their place at the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while defending champions Egypt crashed out to Sierra Leone.

Do or die weekend in Africa

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:57:00 GMT

With all but a handful of teams still in the running to reach the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the continent is set for what should be a dramatic few days of qualifiers this weekend.

Nigeria, South Africa walk Olympic tightrope

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:18:00 GMT

Nigeria and South Africa both face must-win fixtures against Tanzania and Benin respectively as they attempt to maintain their hopes of reaching London 2012.

Tanzania shock again, southern teams struggle

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:52:00 GMT

Tanzania beat Nigeria 1-0 - their latest giant-killing feat - to take a first-leg advantage, South Africa struggled against Benin, while there were victories for Algeria and Côte d'Ivoire.

Ivorians qualify as Egypt stumble again

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:54:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire joined co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and Botswana as qualifiers for the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while seven-time champions Egypt saw their hopes virtually ended after a draw against South Africa.

Ndah Francois: The game is for everybody

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks to Rosalie Tempa Ndah Francois, who will officiate at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™, which is one of many projects the busy Benin national is involved with.

Sudan-Egypt pick of Olympic draw

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:22:00 GMT

The draw for the second round of men's African qualifying matches for London 2012 took place today at CAF's headquarters in Cairo, seeing Egypt paired together with north-eastern neighbours Sudan in one of eight ties.

Ghana spirits rise, Nigeria rout Ethiopia

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:50:00 GMT

Ghana spirits were boosted with a 3-0 win over Congo, while Côte D'Ivoire, Zambia, Congo DR and Nigeria all came out on top in their respective 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

Drogba: We must win for our troubled people

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:49:00 GMT

Côte D'Ivoire captain Didier Drogba has called for his side to win tomorrow's CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin to help bring the country's people together amidst political turmoil.

Gambia’s withdrawal sends Benin through

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Benin have qualified for the second round of CAF qualifiers for the Men’s Olympic Tournament London 2012 after Gambia this week withdrew from the competition.

Moroccan clubs maintain charge

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:33:00 GMT

Morocco's three-club presence at the CAF Confederation Cup remained intact after the both their sides competing in the first round qualified, but Difaa al-Jadida cut it finer than Moghreb Fes, relying on a last-minute goal.

Cameroon stumble in busy day of qualifiers

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:02:00 GMT

The latest round of 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers saw Cameroon stumble at home, Côte d'Ivoire maintain their perfect start and Morocco claim their first points.

Giants begin journey to 2012

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:44:00 GMT

Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia will get their qualifying campaigns underway with easy home games, while Congo DR and Senegal will collide in the pick of the weekend’s fixtures.

Future uncertain for PSG pair

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:21:00 GMT

Guillaume Hoarau and Stephane Sessegnon have admitted they do not know if they will still be Paris Saint-Germain players when the 2010/11 season gets underway.

Brazilian Rubim takes Benin hotseat

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Benin named Jose Paulo Rubim as their new national coach on Friday, the Brazilian veteran replacing Michel Dussuyer.

African journalists train for the FIFA World Cup

Mon, 10 May 2010 19:20:00 GMT

As part of a programme run by the AFP Foundation and financed by FIFA, some 270 African sports journalists, editors and photographers attended a training programme which concluded on 5 May 2010.

Benin embark on new direction

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:13:00 GMT

After a series of sweeping changes, Benin are edging ever closer to their highest ever position of 59th in the Ranking, attained a few months ago.

Drogba named Africa's best

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:52:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been crowned African Player of the Year for 2009 ahead of Michael Essien and Samuel Eto'o.

New stars emerge in Angola

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:11:00 GMT

The Cup of Nations was a showcase for players seemingly on the cusp of greatness. We look at Egypt’s Gedo and a few other stars in the making.

Nigeria join Egypt in last eight

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:18:00 GMT

Peter Odemwingie led Nigeria's Super Eagles past Mozambique, while Egypt preserved their unbeaten streak in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Familiar names, fresh feats

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:17:00 GMT

Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Liedson ensure this week’s statistical review is a star-studded affair, while Egypt’s record-breaking form also features.

Benin out to shock mighty Egyptians

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:12:00 GMT

Underdogs Benin face a mammoth task if they are to reach the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals needing a win against champions Egypt.

Pharaohs march into last eight

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:03:00 GMT

Egypt beat Mozambique to secure a place in the last eight of the Cup of Nations in Angola, while Nigeria outlasted a tough challenge from Benin.

Angelique Kidjo: Football and music are universal

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:03:00 GMT

Prior to performing a concert in Zurich, Beninoise singer Angelique Kidjo shared her views on music, football and the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Who will win the Cup of Nations?

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:33:00 GMT

The CAF Africa Cup of Nations has kicked off with some exciting and unpredictable contests. But who do you think will win the coveted continental title?

Holders set the pace in Angola

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:19:00 GMT

Egypt came from a goal back to beat Nigeria 3-1 at the Africa Cup of Nations, while both Benin and Mozambique missed out on history in Angola.