FIFA.com - News

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:36:00 GMT

Featuring Carlo Ancelotti on prioritising food over football in London, Moritz Leitner on the Borussia Dortmund bug, David Beckham on his love of AC Milan and Javier Clemente criticising Cristiano Ronaldo.

Transfers that transformed seasons

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:58:00 GMT

From Eric Cantona through Johan Cruyff to the great Alfredo di Stefano, FIFA.com looks back at some of the mid-season deals that have had the biggest impact on the clubs involved.

Zico: Iraq can beat anyone

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:14:00 GMT

Brazil legend Zico, now in charge of Iraq's national team, tells FIFA.com how his side overcame early doubts to qualify for the final round of Asian Zone qualifiers - and why they can take the next step by qualifying for Brazil 2014.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:31:00 GMT

Featuring Cristiano Ronaldo on looking good, Mario Basler on which footballer he'd chose to watch over a supermodel, Pep Guardiola on who he'd like to be reincarnated as and Miroslav Klose on having his feet kissed.

Okada: I want new success in China

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:51:00 GMT

Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada spoke with FIFA.com about his latest ambition to build Hangzhou Greentown into a title-winning club in the Chinese Super League as he leaves his successes with the Blue Samurai behind.

Bringing the joy of football to Chinese youth

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:48:00 GMT

FIFA World Cup Sponsor Yingli Solar provided a memorable experience for a group of lucky Chinese schoolchildren by organising a challenge football match at a primary school in Beijing’s disadvantaged Dongcheng district.

Corinthians land Chinese prospect on loan

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:06:00 GMT

Chinese attacker Chen Zhizhao has joined Corinthians, who are fresh from winning the Brasileirao title, on a two-year loan from Nanchang Hengyuan.

The Year in Classic

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:55:00 GMT

FIFA.com has welcomed many more players, clubs and rivalries into the Classic Football section during the past 12 months. Now we look back over those greats who earned their place in 2011.

The Year in Quotes

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:13:00 GMT

Join FIFA.com for our review of the most eye-catching quotes of the last 12 months, featuring the likes of Pele, Mario Balotelli, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Shao Jiayi: Time right to return home

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:11:00 GMT

China international Shao Jiayi speaks to FIFA.com about his imminent homecoming to Beijing Guoan after close to a decade in Germany, and explains what his homeland could learn from his adopted European country.

Tigana appointed Shenhua coach

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua have announced that Jean Tigana will become the club's new coach, the latest adventure in the former France international's career.

Okada aims for Champions League glory

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:54:00 GMT

Two-time FIFA World Cup™ coach Takeshi Okada says he wants to lead Hangzhou Greentown to the Asian crown with the former Japan boss appointed to the Chinese Super League club yesterday.

Okada links with Hangzhou

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:56:00 GMT

Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada is the latest high-profile foreigner to move to China PR's Super League where he will link with Hangzhou Greentown.

Debutants eye Asian glory

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 07:17:00 GMT

The 2012 AFC Champions League draw has thrown up numerous fascinating groups but much of the focus will be on the performance of continental debutants who have impressed in securing their respective domestic titles.

Anelka to make January Shenhua move

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:09:00 GMT

Nicolas Anelka will make his move to the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Shenhua in January, leaving Chelsea, his new club announced today.

Muriqui claims awards double in China

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:55:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande striker Muriqui has won the Chinese Super League 2011’s best player and top scorer awards, while Ma Lin has been named coach of the year.

Anelka agrees to join Shanghai Shenhua

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 10:34:00 GMT

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has agreed to join Shanghai Shenhua, and could join the Chinese Super League club as early as January.

Anelka in Shanghai negotiations

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:48:00 GMT

Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua have confirmed they are in discussions with Chelsea's French striker Nicolas Anelka.

Okada eyes China club

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:38:00 GMT

Japan's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ coach Takeshi Okada is reportedly in talks with China Super League team Hangzhou Greentown.

Kashiwa face daunting debut group

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:44:00 GMT

Kashiwa Reysol were handed a tough baptism into life in the AFC Champions League, being drawn in a stellar group including K-League winners Jeonbuk Motors and Chinese Super League holders Guangzhou Evergrande.

Aussie McKinna to coach in China

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:32:00 GMT

Successful A-League coach Lawrie McKinna has signed a one-year deal with Chongqing Lifan FC in China's League One, following a brief spell last season with Chengdu Blades.

Women's round-up: November 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:32:00 GMT

This month's women's football round-up features the latest from Women's EURO 2013 qualifying, Sao Jose's triumph in Brazil and a prestigious award for Japan's Aya Miyama.

Kashiwa edge closer, silverware polished

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a potentially pivotal weekend for Kashiwa Reysol, another Brisbane Roar landmark, and new names etched on silverware in China and Singapore.

Press reflects on differing fortunes

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:16:00 GMT

The last two matchdays in Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014 provided upsets and drama in equal measure. FIFA.com looks at the reaction of media across the continent.

Four spots left in Asia

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:18:00 GMT

The window of opportunity to reach the next stage of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification continues to get smaller in Asia, with only four berths remaining after Australia, Iran and Iraq all sealed their passage.

Camacho: Victory may have come too late

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:07:00 GMT

Jose Camacho has praised his China PR team for their 4-0 win away to Singapore but acknowledged that they may end the day out of the running for a place at Brazil 2014.

China rout Singapore, keep faint hopes alive

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:39:00 GMT

China PR kept their slim hopes of reaching the final round of Asian Zone qualifying intact by beating Singapore 4-0 on their travels.

Japan excel again, world champions thwarted

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:36:00 GMT

A remarkable year for women’s football in Japan has continued with the U-17 team topping Asian qualifying for Azerbaijan 2012, where they will be joined by Korea DPR and China PR.

China PR claim final Asian ticket

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:18:00 GMT

China PR will join Japan and Korea DPR at Azerbaijan 2012 after edging the final Asian qualifying spot ahead of 2010 world champions Korea Republic.

Three through, five out in Asia

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a matchday on which Japan, Uzbekistan and Jordan sealed berths in the fourth round and the hopes of Indonesia, Korea DPR, Singapore, Tajikistan and United Arab Emirates were ended.

Familiar Asian duo secure passage

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:37:00 GMT

Japan and Korea DPR have again qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with the pair having made a significant impression at Trinidad & Tobago 2010, while Korea Republic and China PR will battle for the final ticket.

Quartet well placed, five stare at abyss

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:49:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews Friday’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers in Asia where four nations can sew up their passage to the next stage, including what would be a historic moment for Jordan.

China's Brazil dreams on a knife-edge

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:56:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ continues on Friday with China PR on the brink of elimination, while the continent's elite are well placed with two further matchdays to come.

Guangzhou gang shoulder China hopes

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:10:00 GMT

The success of runaway league winners Guangzhou Yiyao has proved to be a boost for China PR coach Jose Camacho with six of the team’s players named in the national squad for the crucial Brazil 2014 qualifier against Iraq.

Dominant Guangzhou make history

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:38:00 GMT

The Chinese Super League campaign concluded on Wednesday and it will be a season long remembered for the arrival of Guangzhou Yiyao, with the newly promoted side winning the title in a canter.

Liaoning seal Champions League spot

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:25:00 GMT

Laioning Whowin sealed their spot in the 2012 AFC Champions League after China international Yang Xu scored one and set up two in a 3-1 win over Tianjin Teda as the curtain closed on the Chinese Super League.

Silverware polished as Roar bellow

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:21:00 GMT

Trophies were handed out in Japan and Malaysia, the latest OFC O-League season commenced and it was another milestone weekend in Australia as FIFA.com wraps up the action from Asia and Oceania.

Zhongyu take step, Ruby relegated

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:41:00 GMT

Valdo’s late goal earned Liaoning Zhongyu victory over Changchun Yatai and a step closer to AFC Champions League qualification, while Shenzhen Ruby were relegated after a 3-2 defeat to Shandong Luneng.

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.

Asian elite eye world stage

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 08:44:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will commence next week with the standard of competition expected to be fierce with three of the four Trinidad and Tobago 2010 semi-finalists to be featured.

Lu: Accelerating the pace of development

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:50:00 GMT

Tracy Lu, member of the FIFA Task Force Football 2014 and the Committee for Women's Football and the FIFA Women's World Cup, spoke to FIFA.com about developing women’s football.

Rivalries and fresh hopes abound

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:53:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of club matters across Asia and Oceania looks at the season-openers in India, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, derby time in Australia, and glory for Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Motors.

Wu wins it for Shanghai

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:10:00 GMT

Defender Wu Xi scored within the first ten minutes to seal a 1-0 win over Dalian Shide in the Chinese Super League, separating the side from threat of relegation.

Danalache brace deals Guangzhou defeat

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:58:00 GMT

Romanian striker Cristian Danalache scored a double and assisted two others, helping Jiangsu Shuntian to a rare 5-2 win over champions Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League.

Familiar names head up Asian trio

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:48:00 GMT

Asia’s three representatives for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will include consistent performers Japan and Korea DPR, as well as China PR, with the Steel Rosebuds enjoying a welcome return to the world stage.

Silverware polished as favourites endure

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:38:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of Asian club action looks at familiar champions crowned in Uzbekistan, Korea Republic’s leaders on the cusp of glory and Australia’s frontrunners extending a remarkable unbeaten run.

Japan lead Asian trio

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:28:00 GMT

Asia’s three representatives at next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Uzbekistan have been determined with Japan, Korea DPR and China PR securing qualification with a match to spare.

Goalfest creates excitement in Asia

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:06:00 GMT

Media praise was widespread for the major Asian winners of Tuesday’s round of Brazil 2014 qualifiers, most notably in Australia, Japan and Iran.

Asian heavyweights nearly there

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:53:00 GMT

Asia’s top sides ran riot today in qualifying for Brazil 2014, with Japan going goal crazy against the Tajiks while Australia and Iran also had comfortable evenings.

Mahmoud earns Iraq win in China

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:42:00 GMT

Iraq edged China PR 1-0 to go second in Group A, a Younis Mahmoud goal earning the visitors victory against the run of play.