FIFA.com - News

France friendly tees up Estonia's European record

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:48:00 GMT

Estonia are set to make history as the first ever team to have played all other fellow UEFA member nations after arranging a friendly with France, the only one of the 52 they had yet to face.

Chile climb 12th amid minimal movement

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

With only 11 matches taken into account, there was little change on the latest edition of the FIFA Ranking, though Chile rose to 12th and Bosnia-Herzegovina went into a personal best of 19th.

Spain on top and Wales highest climber

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for this year brings little change as world champions Spain remain at the top of the table, followed by Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay.

Portugal among final four qualifiers

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:05:00 GMT

Portugal overcame stubborn resistance from Bosnia-Herzegovina to join Croatia, Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland as the final four teams to qualify for UEFA EURO 2012. FIFA.com has all the details.

Irish end drought to reach EURO

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:54:00 GMT

The Republic of Ireland ended years of frustration by reaching their first major finals since the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ as they qualified for UEFA EURO 2012 today.

Pareiko: We're giving it our best shot

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:52:00 GMT

Despite being on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline in the first leg of their UEFA EURO 2012 play-off in Tallinn, Estonia keeper Sergei Pareiko says that his team-mates will not give up in Dublin.

Trapattoni stays cautious, Keane hails team-mates

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:09:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his Republic of Ireland side against complacency following their 4-0 win in Estonia, while Robbie Keane has praised fellow scorers Jonathan Walters and Keith Andrews.

Triumphant trio poised to progress

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:53:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland, Croatia and the Czech Republic all took giant strides towards qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012, but Portugal were left with plenty of work to do after a stalemate in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Irish eyes smiling after Estonia stroll

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:06:00 GMT

Skipper Robbie Keane claimed a double in Tallinn as the Republic of Ireland routed nine-man Estonia to take an iron grip on their UEFA EURO 2012 play-off.

Eight pursue play-off progress

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:45:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs which has served up a handful of intriguing fixtures, including a grudge match between Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and new faces Montenegro against Czech Republic.

Given: It's our time to qualify

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:51:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has said the national squad believes it is their time to qualify for the European championships and are confident they can surpass Estonia for passage to UEFA EURO 2012.

Droughts, deluges and scoring sensations

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:28:00 GMT

The defensive shortcomings of Estonia’s Ajax Lasnamae, the goalscoring prowess of Demba Ba, Fernando Cavenaghi and Cristiano Ronaldo, plus a goal drought in Cesena, are the focus of FIFA.com’s latest stats review.

Given positive as Irish name squad

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni has named a provisional 26-man squad for Republic of Ireland's UEFA EURO 2012 play-off against Estonia next month, and goalkeeper Shay Given is full of optimism heading into the tie.

Estonia extend Ruutli contract

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:03:00 GMT

Following their success in reaching the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs, Estonia have extended the contract of coach Tarmo Ruutli until the end of 2013.

Kink: Ireland will be a tough tie

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:07:00 GMT

Midfielder Tarmo Kink has said he believes play-off opponents Republic of Ireland will be just as keen on qualifying for the EURO 2012 showpiece as Estonia when they meet in November.

Play-offs pitch Ireland against Estonia

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:10:00 GMT

The UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs draw was made today, with Republic of Ireland to face Estonia, Turkey handed a tie with Croatia, Czech Republic paired with Montenegro, and Bosnia-Herzegovina going up against Portugal.

The flawless, troubled and triumphant

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:01:00 GMT

With 240 matches played among nine qualifying groups, FIFA.com reviews the most memorable moments from the 13-month-long qualifying campaign for next summer's UEFA EURO 2012.

Czechs, Ireland among seeded sides

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:22:00 GMT

UEFA announced today that Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal and Republic of Ireland will be the four seeded teams in tomorrow's draw for the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs.

Estonia ecstatic with EURO 2012 feat

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:28:00 GMT

Estonia are currently basking in their qualification for the UEFA EURO 2012 play-offs after a late winning run, coupled with Serbia's slump, saw Tarmo Ruutli's men finish second in Group C.

EURO 2012 co-hosts victorious

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:13:00 GMT

Poland scored a comfortable 2-0 victory in Belarus, while fellow UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts Ukraine won by the same scoreline on the road in Estonia.

Twelve seats filled at EURO table

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:20:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up an intriguing final round of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying matches as France, Russia, Greece, Denmark and Sweden all advanced, leaving eight contenders to play-off for the four remaining tickets.

England join EURO elite

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 00:38:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews an exciting night of UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying action that saw England secure their place at next year’s finals, and Montenegro and Sweden confirm play-off berths.

Greece, Belgium push for qualification

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Greece moved into pole position in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification Group F after beating fellow contenders Croatia 2-0, while Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1 to move into second in Group A at Turkey's expense.

Northern Irish crash out

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:13:00 GMT

Northern Ireland's slim hopes of a UEFA EURO 2012 play-off - and possibly Nigel Worthington's prospects of a new contract - were finally extinguished with a second defeat at the hands of lowly Estonia.

Ranocchia: Italy can catch Spain

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:35:00 GMT

Andrea Rannochia feels that Italy, having secured UEFA EURO 2012 qualification from Group C, can match Spain as one of the tournament favourites, while Serbia look to capture second place.

Injury denies Hughes final outing

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:59:00 GMT

Aaron Hughes has been denied the chance to lead Northern Ireland after the 31-year-old's 13-year international career after he failed to recover from a groin injury for their final two UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers.

Spain regain top amid significant movement

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT

After just a one-month hiatus, Spain replaced the Netherlands at the top of the global ladder, while Uruguay and Portugal leapt into fourth and fifth respectively amid significant change.

Productive weekend for Europe's leaders

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 07:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com reflects on a generally positive weekend for the pacesetters in Europe's top leagues, with only Montpellier slipping up as Manchester United, Napoli, Valencia and Bayern Munich strengthened their positions.

Germany book place, giants edge closer

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:47:00 GMT

Germany made sure of their place at UEFA EURO 2012 in emphatic style on Friday, while Italy, the Netherlands, France and England all moved a step closer to joining them.

Droughts, dominance and a drubbing

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:37:00 GMT

Neymar, Ronaldinho and Flora Tallinn feature alongside the Preliminary Draw, Spain's latest international conquest and an amazing English scoring drought in FIFA.com's latest statistical review.

Countdown to FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:53:00 GMT

Various beach soccer events and tournaments have been taking place over the past few months as the build-up to September's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna/Italy 2011 gathers pace.

Rocky road for the Netherlands

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:08:00 GMT

Favourites in a group featuring “four genuine football nations” according to coach Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands cannot expect to have everything their own way.

Sweden and Estonia show the way

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 05:47:00 GMT

As the world prepares for the Brazil 2014 Preliminary Draw, we look back to June 1933 and the first-ever FIFA World Cup qualifier between Sweden and Estonia.

Qualifying tales through the ages

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:32:00 GMT

With the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ set for Saturday, FIFA.com looks back on some of the more weird, wonderful and ground-breaking qualifiers since the first almost 80 years ago.

The preliminaries in numbers

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:30:00 GMT

Ahead of Saturday's Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, FIFA.com looks at some statistics from the qualifying competition's history and some other records on the verge of crashing.

Atletico dealt Norwegian Europa trip

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Atletico Madrid will face Norwegian side Stromsgodset, who last appeared in the UEFA Cup 13 years ago, while Stoke City have been been paired against Hadjuk Split in the UEFA Europa League.

Benfica to face Trabz after UEFA draw

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:33:00 GMT

The draw for the UEFA Champions League has taken place, with a number of exciting ties being thrown up, including Benfica taking on Trabzonspor and Rubin Kazan facing national neighbours Dynamo Kiev.

Uruguay cruise against Estonia

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:02:00 GMT

Strikes from Martin Caceres and Nicolas Lodeiro and an own goal from Mikk Reinham gave Uruguay a morale-boosting 3-0 friendly win over Estonia in their final pre-Copa America warm-up.

Germans motor on, Ibra lifts Swedes

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:59:00 GMT

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit a hat-trick as Sweden overwhelmed Finland to improve their qualification hopes, while Germany put a firm foot in the European finals and Faroe Islands upset Estonia.

Piiroja: Estonia can still qualify

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:14:00 GMT

Raio Piiroja believes Estonia are still in contention to qualify for UEFA EURO 2012, with the captain confident the team can bounce back from defeat to Italy by beating the Faroe Islands.

One last mission for EURO hopefuls

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:05:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at what is at stake ahead of the final six UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers of the season on Tuesday, with the likes of Germany and Sweden topping the bill.

Germany march as French weep

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:21:00 GMT

Germany continued to stroll in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying with a 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna, while Eric Abidal’s own goal saw France muster only a draw with Belarus on the road in Minsk.

Italy on qualification brink

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:15:00 GMT

Italy maintained their stronghold on Group C after Giuseppe Rossi, Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo goals sealed a 3-0 victory over Estonia to put them on the brink of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012.

Pre-holiday push for EURO stars

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:59:00 GMT

The summer holidays are just around the corner in Europe, but some big stars still have crucial international assignments in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying before they can think about unwinding.

Euro big guns hit qualifying trail

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:15:00 GMT

France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Croatia are among a host of European nations in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying action on Friday.

Who’ve been the stars of 2010/11?

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know which players have impressed you the most during the 2010/11 season across Europe.

Serbs waste chances in Estonia draw

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:58:00 GMT

A free-kick goal from Konstantin Vassilijev just five minutes from time secured a 1-1 draw for Estonia with Serbia in a UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group C match.

EURO action trumps friendly mix

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the 34 internationals being played on Tuesday, ten of which are qualifiers for UEFA EURO 2012 and the rest friendlies, with the England-Ghana clash topping the bill.

Estonia shock Uruguay in icy friendly

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:29:00 GMT

Estonia defeated visitors Uruguay 2-0 in a friendly today, Konstantin Vassiljev and Vjatseslav Zahovaiko putting two past the illustrious South Americans as snow fell and temperatures plummeted.

Nani hoping to star, Scots face Seleção

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:26:00 GMT

This week's friendlies see Nani hoping he can fill the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal as they face Chile without their talisman, Lionel Messi looking to dazzle the USA for Argentina and Scotland facing a tough test against Brazil.