FIFA.com - News

Germans close on Dutch, England go fifth

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:01:00 GMT

Spain maintained pole position on the global ladder, while third-placed Germany closed on the Netherlands and England jumped two spots to fifth. Elsewhere, Croatia, Czech Republic and Ecuador make ground.

Historic high for Cape Verde Islands

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:27:00 GMT

Ranked a best-ever 66th in the world after a brave but ultimately unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the next CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cape Verde Islands have improved greatly over the past decade.

Workshop aids Football For Hope movement

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:36:00 GMT

The annual Football for Hope Centres’ Workshop has been taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, with emphasis on the monitoring and evaluation of the Centres.

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.

All to play for on Africa’s final weekend

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:42:00 GMT

Qualifying for the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations concludes this weekend with big guns Nigeria and South Africa needing to make up ground to reach the finals, and a host of outsiders aiming to make a bit of history.

Futsal review: June-August

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 07:53:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a busy period of activity in the world of Futsal which saw new club champions crowned in Asia and Europe's pathway to the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup laid out.

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.

Tunisia eye return to glory days

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:15:00 GMT

Tunisia are the heavyweight team in African qualifying Group B and will be hard to beat in a section also containing Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone and the winner of the first round tie between Equatorial Guinea and Madagascar.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 04:10:00 GMT

Featuring Andrea Ranocchia on how Gian Piero Gasperini gets his messages across, German Burgos on giving up a rock career to go into football coaching, and Guti on why Cristiano Ronaldo's not on Lionel Messi's level.

Besiktas take Bebe on loan

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:47:00 GMT

Young attacker Bebe, the former homeless Portuguese who joined Manchester United last summer, has signed for the Turkish giants on a one-year loan.

Antunes: Sharks can swim with big fish

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:11:00 GMT

Cape Verde Islands coach Lucio Antunes says that the Tubaroes Azul can hold onto their pole position in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and reach a first-ever continental finals.

Nigeria suffer Cup setback

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:46:00 GMT

Ethiopia shocked Argentina-conquerors Nigeria as they held the the 'Super Eagles' to a 2-2 draw and damaging their chances of going to the 2012 CAF African Nations Cup, while Zimbabwe beat Mali 2-1.

United clear barriers to outrank Liverpool

Mon, 23 May 2011 11:35:00 GMT

Manchester United cleared several barriers to outrank Liverpool as the record 19-time English champions, while Manchester City clinched third place and the FA Cup as Chelsea and Arsenal suffered disappointing campaigns.

The Week in Quotes

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:48:00 GMT

Joey Barton bashing his rivals to explain why he’s the best English midfielder, a former Ghana international on why he was better than Messi, Deco on the top player he’s performed alongside and Ronaldinho on Cariocas.

Hargreaves and Giggs deal United blows

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:05:00 GMT

Owen Hargreaves will spend around five weeks on the sidelines, while his Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs has been ruled out of their upcoming derby.

The Week in Quotes

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:54:00 GMT

Xavi on Messi compared to Maradona, Redknapp on Bale, De La Red on heart issues, Nani and Balotelli on a towering ambition they share, and Ranieri on why he should keep his job at Roma all feature in this week's round-up.

Egypt stunned in Niger amid upsets

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:55:00 GMT

Defeat for champions Egypt against Niger and surprise losses for both Algeria and Nigeria capped a poor round for the favourites in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Europe and Africa on the march

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 09:04:00 GMT

Spain’s lead atop of the Ranking was cut, while Germany and England climbed to third and sixth respectively. Norway, Slovakia, Montenegro and Guinea-Bissau were also significant movers.

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.

Bebe's race from rags to riches

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:35:00 GMT

FIFA.com recounts the astounding ascent to prominence of Bebe, who has gone from playing football on the streets to signing for Manchester United.

African trio back on track

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:16:00 GMT

Most of the major African nations were in good touch in their first outing since the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Cameroon, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire all impressing, as did continental champions Egypt.

Cape Verdean minnows hold Portuguese

Mon, 24 May 2010 22:39:00 GMT

A star-studded Portugal were held to a goalless draw by a Cape Verde Islands side positioned 114 places beneath them on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

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.

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.

Nani: I can be one of world's best

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:44:00 GMT

Winger Nani has revealed he never thought about departing Manchester United, and declared that he can become one of the finest players in the world.

Culture Foot Solidaire protecting youth

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:13:00 GMT

The second edition of the International Conference on Young African Footballers will focus on the protection of under-age footballers.

Big names make no mistake

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:35:00 GMT

Senegal were the only major side to fall as Round Three of the African qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa entered the final straight.

All to play for in Africa

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:43:00 GMT

With so many places still up for grabs and a plethora of potential outcomes, FIFA.com takes you through the possible scenarios group-by-group.

Africa's battlelines are drawn

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:22:00 GMT

With 17 places in the next round up for grabs on the final weekend of the first group phase, FIFA.com previews the action in Groups 1-6.

FIFA determines kick-off times

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:19:00 GMT

FIFA has decided against all games on the final matchday of the African Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010 kicking off simultaneously.

Cameroon make the cut

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Cameroon made sure of their place in the final phase of African qualifying for South Africa 2010, while Burkina Faso drew with Tunisia.

Varied rewards for victors

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:32:00 GMT

A penultimate matchday rich on entertainment has been shy on draws so far, but there were different rewards for the teams claiming three points.

Race to join Nigeria resumes

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:28:00 GMT

The penultimate round of the second phase of African qualifying takes place this weekend. FIFA.com previews the action in Groups 1 to 6.

Pele called in for Cape Verde

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:33:00 GMT

The Cape Verde Islands have named a full strength squad for next
Saturday's qualifier at home to Cameroon in Praia.

Super Eagles seal their place

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:53:00 GMT

With four wins in four games, Nigeria have already secured their berth in the final qualifying phase, while five others can join them in September.

Big guns sign off in style

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:33:00 GMT

Congo DR, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Egypt and Mali all picked up important wins to help their bids to reach South Africa 2010.

Ghana and Guinea go top

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:20:00 GMT

In the latest FIFA World Cup qualifying action in Africa, Ghana and Guinea each moved to the top of their respective group after winning at home.

Super Eagles on the brink

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:51:00 GMT

With another round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa this weekend, FIFA.com previews the upcoming encounters in Groups 1 to 6.

Tunisia do just enough

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:29:00 GMT

On a day when goals were at a premium, the Carthage Eagles kept their qualification chances intact with a 1-0 win in Burundi.

Liberia draw with Senegal

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:31:00 GMT

In the latest South Africa 2010 qualifier taking place in Africa today, hosts Liberia erased a two-goal deficit to take a point from Senegal.

Quartet sight another stride

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:47:00 GMT

Angola, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria will be out to put one foot in the next phase of African qualifying, while others will attempt to stay alive.

Big guns fire in Africa

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:38:00 GMT

There were no major surprises on Saturday as Africa's traditional superpowers swept the board in the latest round of qualifiers for South Africa 2010.

Action hots up in Africa

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:04:00 GMT

After an intriguing opening week of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa, the continent's giants return to face some worthy foes in Round 2.

Eto'o scores in Cameroon win

Sat, 31 May 2008 21:55:00 GMT

Cameroon, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi each recorded victories on Saturday in qualifying for South Africa 2008.

Tight race in store

Sat, 31 May 2008 20:32:00 GMT

Except for Malawi's romp against Djibouti, it was a day of close encounters in Africa as Round 2 of the South Africa 2010 qualifiers began.

African giants seek redemption

Fri, 30 May 2008 08:45:00 GMT

FIFA World Cup qualifiers begin in earnest in Africa at the weekend, with Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria aiming to atone for missing out in 2006.