FIFA.com - News

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:03:18 GMT

Featuring Simun Samuelsen on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s bad behaviour, Jose Mourinho on how he was Barcelona’s nemesis and Giovanni Trapattoni comparing the current Spain team to the Brazil one of Pele and Co.

Arab stars shining in Europe

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 12:36:17 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look back at the Arab stars who made an impression in Europe's top leagues this season, with a UEFA Europa League semi-finalist and an English FA Cup winner among them.

Villa sign Bulgarian winger Tonev

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:03:00 GMT

Aston Villa signed Bulgaria winger Aleksandar Tonev from Polish club Lech Poznan after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the English Premier League side.

Crunch time for Portugal in Europe

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:09:00 GMT

Russia's trip to face an under-pressure Portugal side is arguably the highlight of an intriguing programme of European Zone qualifiers on Friday, which also includes Belgium-Serbia, Czech Republic-Italy and Austria-Sweden.

Big-scoring Romania lead the way

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:05:00 GMT

Romania grabbed the headlines among a host of international matches played on Tuesday with the Europeans cruising to a 4-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago, while Poland and Bulgaria were also in the winner's circle.

Petrov announces retirement

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:19:00 GMT

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has announced his retirement from football following his battle against acute leukaemia. The Bulgarian midfielder was diagnosed with the condition in March last year.

Kayserispor triumph in 28-penalty shootout

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:53:00 GMT

A 28-penalty shootout decided the destination of the Turkish Cup in 2008. The winners were indebted to a man who scored two spot-kicks and saved four. FIFA.com recalls the drama.

Petrov continuing his recovery

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:11:00 GMT

Aston Villa's Stiliyan Petrov said he was lucky to be alive as he continues his brave battle with leukaemia. The club's captain also said the supporters' applause in the 19th minute of every home game is "incredible".

Levski Sofia part company with Iliev

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:31:00 GMT

Levski Sofia, currently second in the Bulgarian league, have sacked coach Ilian Iliev after a string of poor performances, the club announced on Friday.

Fulham survive second-half QPR surge

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:16:00 GMT

Queens Park Rangers fell behind to Fulham early on and battled back to make for a nervous ending at Craven Cottage, but the hosts held on for a thrilling 3-2 win despite playing a man down for the final eleven minutes.

Spain triumph, Montenegro hold firm

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up another massive evening of European Brazil 2014 qualifying highlighted by a crucial win for world champions Spain on their trip to Paris, while Montenegro and England remain evenly poised after a hard-fought draw.

Denmark and Bulgaria split points

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:24:00 GMT

Daniel Agger's penalty cancelled out Stanislav Manolev's 51st minute strike as Denmark and Bulgaria split the points in the Group B fixture, leaving the hosts' FIFA World Cup hopes in peril.

Crunch time for former champions

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:03:00 GMT

Spain's trip to France is among the eye-catching fixtures in Tuesday's European Zone FIFA World Cup qualifiers. FIFA.com previews the action.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 08:45:00 GMT

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.

Spain stumble, Portugal rescue point

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:25:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the action from a massive evening of Brazil 2014 qualifiers in Europe highlighted by a shock draw at home for world champions Spain against Finland, while Portugal narrowly avoided defeat in Israel.

Tonev hits treble in Bulgaria rout

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:28:00 GMT

Aleksandar Tonev scored a hat-trick as Bulgaria strengthened their position in second place in Group B by hitting Malta for six in their FIFA World Cup qualifying clash in Sofia.

Mihaylov: It's an honour to share my dad's name

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:24:00 GMT

Nikolay Mihaylov chats to FIFA.com about breaking out of the shadow of his famous father, his pride in being the son of the former goalkeeper, the golden generation of Hristo Stoichkov and Co, and Bulgaria’s quest to reach Brazil 2014.

Lampard sends Chelsea third, Spurs stumble

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:17:00 GMT

Frank Lampard headed home his 200th goal for Chelsea in the Blues' 2-0 win over West Ham United, while Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Fulham and Wigan Athletic topped Newcastle United.

FIFA rejects Hungary and Bulgaria appeals

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:05:00 GMT

The appeals lodged by the Hungarian Football Federation and Bulgarian Football Union have been rejected and the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee rendered on 20 November 2012, are confirmed in their entirety.

Petrov completes Espanyol move

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:07:00 GMT

Espanyol have completed the signing of veteran Bulgaria international Martin Petrov, 33, from Bolton Wanderers.

Hungary and Bulgaria sanctioned to play without spectators

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:36:00 GMT

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on both the Hungarian Football Federation and Bulgarian Football Union after incidents in recent international fixtures, both requiring to play their next game without supporters.

CSKA Sofia appoint Jesic

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:08:00 GMT

CSKA Sofia have announced that Serbian Miodrag Jesic will take over as their new head coach following the sacking last week of Stoycho Mladenov.

Who should your club sign?

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:54:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know who you reckon your club should sign in January 2013.

UEFA confirm multi-city EURO 2020

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:50:00 GMT

UEFA have confirmed that UEFA EURO 2020 will not take place in a single country, instead being staged across multiple cities around the continent.

Prizes, prodigies and a fond farewell

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:40:00 GMT

Titles for Tijuana, Ecuador's Barcelona and David Beckham's LA Galaxy feature alongside derby despair for Atletico Madrid, 16-year-old stars in Bulgaria and the Netherlands, and a goal deluge in England.

Petrov: I really appreciate the support

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 09:52:00 GMT

As former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov continues his fight to overcome acute leukaemia, the Bulgarian midfielder says he has been overwhelmed with the continuing support he has received from fans.

Ibra turns on the style, France impress again

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:10:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up a big night of international action across the globe highlighted by an impressive win for France in Italy, a Zlatan Ibrahimovic masterclass and Saudi Arabia denying Argentina.

Drama, draws and dazzling displays

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:06:00 GMT

A busy night of international football saw France claim a late win against Italy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Suarez shine, while Saudi Arabia claimed a famous draw with Argentina.

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.

Stoichkov: A gifted bad boy

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:31:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks back on the career of the man considered to be Bulgaria’s finest ever player, the indomitable and outspoken Hristo Stoichkov.

12 Member Associations bid for 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:02:00 GMT

After six successful editions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and with Tahiti 2013 looming on the horizon, a dozen Member Associations from five continents are in the running to host the 2015 tournament.

Sting in the tail for Germany, Spain

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:58:00 GMT

Surprise results littered Tuesday's 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification, as Germany let slip a four goal lead to draw 4-4 with Sweden, Northern Ireland held Portugal and France stunned Spain to grab a point in the closing seconds.

Czechs, Bulgaria settle for stalemate

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:16:00 GMT

The Czech Republic and Bulgaria cancelled each other out as they played out a drab goalless draw in their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualification Group B clash in Prague.

Excitement as Euro elite face off

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Five games pit table-toppers against close rivals on Matchday 4 of European Zone qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, as FIFA.com explains.

Danes held by ten-man Bulgaria

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:22:00 GMT

Denmark were only able to pick up a point from tonight's FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Bulgaria despite playing with an extra man for more than an hour.

High stakes in Belgrade, Moscow and Piraeus

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 07:08:00 GMT

England, the Netherlands and Sweden may be expected to build up their goal difference on Matchday 3, but in Serbia-Belgium, Russia-Portugal and Greece-Bosnia-Herzegovina, the menu has some fascinating, hard-to-call fixtures.

Bulgarian lions roaring once again

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 08:21:00 GMT

After dropping to an all-time ranking low earlier this year, Bulgaria have bounced back impressively under coach Lyuboslav Penev and reaching Brazil 2014 has become a credible ambition.

Powerhouses make steady progress

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:23:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying action from Europe on a positive evening for the continent's major nations, although both Germany and Spain were made to work overtime before collecting wins.

Manolev hands Bulgaria victory

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:16:00 GMT

Bulgaria remain unbeaten in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying as they saw off a nine-man Armenia 1-0 to sit top of Group B, with Stanislav Manolev's goal proving decisive.

World champions join the party

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:26:00 GMT

After a dramatic opening weekend of FIFA World Cup qualifying action in the European Zone, Spain begin their campaign tomorrow with a match in Georgia. FIFA.com looks ahead to all the action in the old continent.

Osvaldo taking positives despite draw

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:41:00 GMT

Even though Italy had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria, striker Pablo Osvaldo said he was "half-happy" after his brace earned a point for Gli Azzurri in their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ opener.

Big guns hit ground running

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:56:00 GMT

The likes of England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal made winning starts to European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014, while Italy were held to a 2-2 draw in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria withstand Italian challenge

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:03:00 GMT

Bulgaria held Italy to a 2-2 draw in their opening 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying encounter in Group B, grabbing a share of the spoils in the second half through Georgi Milanov.

Road to Brazil begins in Europe

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:41:00 GMT

All 53 European member associations will be involved in the first round of FIFA World Cup preliminaries this Friday and Saturday as the road to Brazil begins in the Old Continent.

Prandelli calls up Insigne, Pazzini

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has called upon the striking talents of uncapped Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne and AC Milan new-boy Giampaolo Pazzini for their upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

First & last touches count, ancient records crash

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 08:41:00 GMT

Ryan Giggs making history and Uruguay’s unbeaten record falling at the Olympics feature in FIFA.com’s latest stats review, along with an Englishman netting a winner with his first touch and a Croatian scoring a tie-changer with his last.

Inter, Liverpool enter latest round

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 15:01:00 GMT

Inter Milan and Liverpool are among the sides to enter the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, for which the draw was announced on Friday.

Third qualifying round draw revealed

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:36:00 GMT

The draw for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League was held on Friday, with sides such as Anderlecht, Celtic, Dynamo Kyiv, Feyenoord and Panathinaikos discovering their fate.

Berbatov ready to move on from United

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 01:53:00 GMT

Dimitar Berbatov appears set to depart Manchester United even though the Bulgarian striker says he wants to remain with the English Premier League giants.

First tickets to Sweden booked

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:01:00 GMT

Last weekend offered several teams the chance to qualify for EURO 2013 and Italy and Germany became the first countries to do so. FIFA.com rounds up the action from the world of women’s football.