FIFA.com - News

Kean: Samba is not for sale

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:35:00 GMT

Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has said the club will not be accepting any bids for Chris Samba, and is hopeful the club can move on even though the defender submitted a transfer request.

Adebayor leads Togo as minnows fall

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:51:00 GMT

Emmanuel Adebayor returned to the Togo side to help them become one of ten teams into the group stage of African qualifying for Brazil 2014, which also included Kenya, who eased by Seychelles.

Africa's away teams find joy

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:17:00 GMT

On the first matchday in the African Zone of Brazil 2014 qualifying, scores favoured the away teams as six out of the ten won on a goal-laden day for travellers.

First roll of the dice for African hopefuls

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:22:00 GMT

The long road to Brazil commences in Africa on Friday as the first round of qualifying kicks off featuring 22 teams, each seeking to keep their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ dreams alive.

M’Vila: France can win the EURO

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:17:00 GMT

Yann M’Vila tells FIFA.com how fatherhood helped him mature as a player and why he doesn’t consider himself a leader in the France squad, and discussed Les Bleus’ aim for glory at UEFA EURO 2012 and his future at Rennes.

Africa sets off on road to Brazil

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:38:00 GMT

The long journey for African representatives aiming to reach Brazil 2014 commences this weekend with 22 nations participating in Round One.

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.

Eight qualify but big boys are denied

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:59:00 GMT

A dramatic day of 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action ended with elimination for Nigeria and South Africa, while Angola, Ghana and Tunisia were among those who ensured themselves a place at the tournament.

The emerging stars of Africa

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at 11 of the players who have grabbed the spotlight during qualifying for Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012 and are being tipped to do the same during the African Zone preliminaries for Brazil 2014.

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.

Ndinga commits to Auxerre

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:11:00 GMT

Lyon target Delvin Ndinga has committed his future to Auxerre by signing a new four-year contract.

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.

All to play for in even section

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:04:00 GMT

Group E is set to be wide open with all four contenders looking in with a shot of qualification, as Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger and first round favourites Congo all have reasons to talk up their own chances.

All-Asia day in Monterrey

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:27:00 GMT

Asian combatants Japan and Uzbekistan booked their passage to the quarter-finals with emphatic routs, while South Americans Brazil and Uruguay also stamped their tickets through.

Uruguay edge Congo to stamp ticket

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:05:00 GMT

Uruguay came from a goal behind to edge out African side Congo 2-1 and book their passage to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Asian debutants Uzbekistan.

Pais: We can do much better

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:45:00 GMT

Discreet off the pitch but highly effective on it, Uruguayan midfielder Leonardo Pais talks to FIFA.com about his group-stage goal against Rwanda and his country’s round-of-16 clash with Congo.

Congo test for gritty Celeste

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:46:00 GMT

Congo's impressive individual creators and general athleticism will surely test the stingy and organised defence of Uruguay when the two meet in Morelia in the round of 16.

Champions fall in Morelia, Monterrey

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:23:00 GMT

The champions of Asia and Europe were both eliminated from the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Friday, Korea DPR and the Netherlands both coming up short as Congo, Japan and France move on.

Nervy draw sees Congo through

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:01:00 GMT

Congo salvaged a 1-1 draw with Korea DPR which sees the Africans progress to the round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup while the East Asians head for home.

Big dreams fire fearless Epako

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:34:00 GMT

A joint top scorer at the African U-17 Championship in January, Congo’s Bel Epako suffered a near-fatal lung infection in March. FIFA.com tells the youngster's compelling tale.

Morelia endgame for Congo, Korea DPR

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:29:00 GMT

Victory over Korea DPR on Friday will definitely take Congo into the last 16 at Mexico 2011, though a draw may be enough. The North Koreans, meanwhile, have no option but to win and await results elsewhere.

Fiesta time for Mexico as duo close in

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 02:30:00 GMT

Mexico edged nine-man Congo on Tuesday to become the first team to reach the last 16, while France and Japan drew to move a step closer and Argentina rebounded from a horrid start.

Mexico edge Congo’s nine to move on

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 01:55:00 GMT

Hosts Mexico became the first team to book passage to the knockout rounds of the 2011 FIFA U-17 World with a 2-1 win over Congo in Morelia on Tuesday.

Gloveless Casillas revels in heroics

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 01:45:00 GMT

Giovani Casillas speaks to FIFA.com about his famous namesake, rising from the bench to save Mexico against Korea DPR and their forthcoming game against Congo.

Tchibota: We don't fear Mexico

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:24:00 GMT

Son of a former international footballer, Mavis Tchibota played a vital role in Congo’s shock win over the Netherlands and he spoke with FIFA.com ahead of the Africans' match against hosts Mexico.

Last 16 incentive for Mexico, Congo

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Winners in their opening matches, hosts Mexico and Africa upstarts Congo meet in Morelia intent on pressing their claims for a place in the last 16.

Trio heat up opening day

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 02:11:00 GMT

Hosts Mexico, 2001 world champions France and African up-and-comers Congo lit up opening day at the FIFA U-17 World Cup with their grit, collective strength and individual brilliance.

Dutch shocked by Congo class

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 01:55:00 GMT

African upstarts Congo put on a second-half display of individual technique and panache to beat European champions the Netherlands 1-0 in their Group A opener in Morelia.

Style clash in Dutch, Congo contest

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:11:00 GMT

Congo and the Netherlands are set to round off the first day of Group A action in what, on paper at least, looks to be an intriguing clash of styles at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico.

A fine line between grooming, results

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:54:00 GMT

For the men in charge of the 24 participating teams, the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 poses a dual challenge: getting results while continuing the development of their young charges.

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.

Mexico 2011 in numbers

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a statistical look ahead to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico, which begins on Saturday and will, if history serves, feature a few of tomorrow's shining global stars.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 09:08:00 GMT

Featuring Usain Bolt on wanting to become a professional footballer, Tony Adams rating George Graham above Arsene Wenger, and Xavi on where Lionel Messi ranks in world's all-time greatest players.

Samba: No regrets choosing Congo

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:29:00 GMT

Chris Samba may have been born and bred in France, but is more than happy to play for Congo to repay the debt he feels he owes to the country's FA for giving him a chance.

Ghana gain group edge

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:49:00 GMT

In the only CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match of the day, Ghana defeated Congo 3-1 to move three points clear of Sudan, who play Swaziland on Sunday, in Group I.

Congo cooking up a Mexican surprise

Tue, 24 May 2011 21:44:00 GMT

Eddie Hudanski has made waves with Congo's youth teams over the last half decade, and the French-born coach hopes to take the U-17 team to the next level despite a daunting group at Mexico 2011.

Essien returns to Black Stars squad

Tue, 17 May 2011 15:10:00 GMT

Michael Essien has made his return to the Ghana squad ahead of their CAF African Nations Cup qualifier against Congo in June, with the hope he'll make his first appearance for the Black Stars in more than a year.

Samba: We don’t care how we win

Fri, 13 May 2011 10:36:00 GMT

Chris Samba, the highly-rated club captain of Blackburn Rovers spoke to FIFA.com about the club's battle against relegation from the Premier League, starting with a match against champions-elect Manchester United on Saturday.

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.

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.

Burkinabe thunder to African crown

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:26:00 GMT

Burkina Faso claimed their first African crown by beating hosts Rwanda in the CAF African U-17 Championship final. It was a dramatic conclusion to a rollercoaster tournament in which four teams qualified for Mexico 2011.

Ivorians, Congo join African contingent

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:52:00 GMT

Africa’s four representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico later this year are set as Côte D’Ivoire and Congo won on Saturday to book their tickets.

History made as Rwanda reach Mexico 2011

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 09:53:00 GMT

Rwanda have made history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA tournament, booking their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup by reaching the last four of the CAF U-17 Championship.

African starlets ready for action

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:33:00 GMT

Gambia look to defend their crown as the African U-17 Championship begins this weekend in Rwanda with four spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico up for grabs.

The Week in Quotes

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:30:00 GMT

Pippo Inzaghi, Landon Donovan, Frank Lampard, Roberto Baggio and Cristiano Ronaldo all feature in our look back at some of the week's most's interesting and entertaining quotes from the beautiful game.

Mazembe, Al Ahly take the initiative

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:01:00 GMT

TP Mazembe and Al Ahly are in the driving seat in the CAF Champions League semi-finals after securing hard-fought first leg wins over JS Kabylie and Esperance respectively.

Stars, shocks and a sacking in Africa

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:51:00 GMT

Rabah Saadane found himself out of a job after a weekend of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers that also ended in disappointment for Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.