FIFA.com - News

Kashia: It's just the beginning for Vitesse

Fri, 03 May 2013 04:39:00 GMT

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2011, Vitesse have come to within a whisker of UEFA Champions League qualification in the Eredivisie and captain Guram Kashia told FIFA.com he hopes there is more to come from them.

Kairat land historic first European crown

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:01:00 GMT

Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty have made history in the UEFA Futsal Cup, winning Europe's premier club competition for the very first time by defeating 2012 runners-up Dinamo Moscow 4-3 in the final.

Debutants pass first test en route to Canada

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the highlights of the first matches in FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 qualifying, which recently took place in Lithuania and Malta.

Lithuania, Malta first stops on road to Canada

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the Canada 2015 qualifiers, with global qualifying commencing on Thursday with a mini-tournament involving Europe's eight lowest-ranked teams.

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.

France down Georgia to take group control

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:38:00 GMT

Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Valbuena and Franck Ribery got the goals as France beat Georgia 3-1 to make themselves favourites for Group I's automatic ticket to Brazil.

France summon Varane, Remy and Pogba for Spain

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Didier Deschamps has handed a first call-up to Paul Pogba for France's Brazil 2014 qualifiers against Georgia and Spain, and recalled Raphael Varane and Loic Remy.

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.

Del Bosque: I listen to criticism and value it

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:52:00 GMT

In the second of a two-part interview, Vicente Del Bosque chats to FIFA.com about the differences of coaching in club and international football, handling criticism and Spain’s quest to reach Brazil 2014.

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.

Hatton: I'm a massive football fan

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 08:43:00 GMT

Celebrated boxer Ricky Hatton speaks to FIFA.com about coming from a footballing family, growing up watching Manchester City, having Wayne Rooney carry his belt out, and who should win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.

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.

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.

Bressan stars as Belarus down Georgia

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 19:43:00 GMT

Renan Bressan scored the first and set up the second as Belarus cruised to a 2-0 win at home to Georgia in Group I of European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014.

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.

Ten-man Finland rescue Georgia point

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:56:00 GMT

Kasper Hamalainen's strike rescued a point for ten-man Finland in tonight's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Helsinki.

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.

Ketsbaia gets passionate Georgians climbing

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:32:00 GMT

Georgia recently gave the mighty Spain a run for their money and jumped 11 places on the global ladder. FIFA.com speaks to the mastermind behind their recent progress, Temur Ketsbaia.

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.

Del Bosque: Georgia were not easy

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:32:00 GMT

After needing an 86th-minute goal to see off Georgia, Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque was quick to point out the gap in quality at international level is getting smaller with each day.

Soldado spares Spanish blushes

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:58:00 GMT

Spain were forced to wait until the 86th minute to secure victory over Georgia in their FIFA World Cup qualifier, with Roberto Soldado scoring the crucial winner for the reigning champions.

Del Bosque: The World Cup begins now

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 11:22:00 GMT

Reigning world and European champions Spain begin their bid to win a fourth successive major tournament tomorrow night with a trip to Georgia and a warning from coach Vicente del Bosque.

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.

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.

Georgia start strong in qualifying

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:27:00 GMT

Georgia got their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign off to a winning start as a fine second-half goal from Tornike Okriashvili saw off the challenge of Belarus.

Valbuena: We can do better than Spain

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:37:00 GMT

Mathieu Valbuena insists France have what it takes to pip Spain to first place in Group I as the European Zone FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers for Brazil 2014 begin on Friday evening.

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.

Villa returns to Spain squad

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:38:00 GMT

Vicente del Bosque has named his squad for Spain's first FIFA World Cup qualifier against Georgia, with the main talking point the return of David Villa.

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.

Bobrov spurs Soviets to dream comeback

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:29:00 GMT

Exactly sixty years ago, Yugoslavia led Soviet Union 5-1 with just 15 minutes remaining in their fight for a place in the Olympic quarter-finals. Thereafter, though, Vsevolod Bobrov inspired one of the greatest fightbacks in football history.

Ambitious Arveladze still looking ahead

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Georgia's record goalscorer Shota Arveladze speaks to FIFA.com about 'his second life' as a coach, the situation at his former club Rangers and why he has no great desire to take charge of the international team.

Georgia legend Shengelia dies

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:24:00 GMT

Georgian football is in mourning following the death of Ramaz Shengelia, who starred for the Soviet Union and Dinamo Tbilisi, at the age of 55.

Azerbaijan, Georgia renew joint EURO 2020 bid

Fri, 25 May 2012 13:23:00 GMT

Azerbaijan have decided to re-enter the race to host UEFA EURO 2020 alongside Georgia after they decided to put their bid back on the table after the capital Baku was taken out of the running for that year's Olympics.

The European Cup's exceptional upsets

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:48:00 GMT

If APOEL Nicosia are to make the UEFA Champions League semi-finals they will have to pull a huge upset to see off Real Madrid. FIFA.com looks back across the tournament's six decades for some inspiration from underdogs.

Dynamo Tbilisi sack Spanish coach Garcia

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:34:00 GMT

Alex Garcia's spell at the helm of Dynamo Tbilisi has been brought to an end after a poor showing in pre-season following just over six months in charge.

Greece through with Georgia win

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:09:00 GMT

David Targamadze had given Georgia a shock lead in the first-half, but goals from Giorgios Fotakis and Angelos Charisteas 11 minutes from time sealed a 2-1 win for Greece and a place at UEFA EURO 2012.

Greece make late call-ups for Georgia

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:43:00 GMT

Greece have had to bring an two emergency call-ups ahead of their final, and crucial, UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, requiring a draw against Georgia to make it through as Group B winners.

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.

Greece wary of Israel danger

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Greece's players have been speaking about putting their unbeaten record against Israel, with the afternoon heat in Tel Aviv among their main concerns.

Spain toppled as Germany best Brazil

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:38:00 GMT

Reigning world champions Spain and five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil were the big losers in Wednesday’s international friendlies, going down to Italy and Germany respectively.

Vitesse snap up hot prospect

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Vitesse Arnhem have signed 18-year-old Georgian winger Valeri Kazaishvili on a three-year contract.

Benfica, Twente stroll through

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:38:00 GMT

Portuguese giants Benfica secured progression to the UEFA Champions League play-offs at the expense of Trabzonspor, with FC Twente, Rubin Kazan and Malmo also advancing.

Polanski adds to Polish foreign flavour

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:06:00 GMT

Former German youth international Eugen Polanski has been called up for the upcoming Poland friendly with Georgia, with the defensive midfielder adding to the French-born Ludovic Obraniak in the squad.

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.

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.

Croatia comeback seals top spot

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:27:00 GMT

In a frantic second-half flurry, Croatia came from behind to defeat Georgia 2-1 in a UEFA EURO 2012 Group F qualifying match with Mario Mandzukic and Nikola Kalinic on target for the visitors.

Croatia, Israel aiming for summit

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Croatia can take a temporary lead in Group F if they beat Georgia tomorrow, although current leaders Greece face Malta on Saturday, while Israel can remain in contention with victory over Latvia.

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.