FIFA.com - News

The Battle of Berne

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:35:00 GMT

While Hungary's 4-2 win over Brazil in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final in 1954 wasn't an instant classic, The Battle of Berne proved to be a significant moment in international football as it marked the end of the Hungarian heyday and the rise of Brazilian success.

Guttmann’s curse strikes Benfica again

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:10:00 GMT

A stoppage-time goal condemned Benfica to a UEFA Europa League final defeat, extending the alleged curse put on them by their former coach Bela Guttmann in 1962.

Miguel Munoz, the man who dropped Di Stefano's Madrid

Fri, 03 May 2013 14:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest Classic Coach profile centres on Miguel Munoz, a man who regenerated Real Madrid and went on to memorable successes with Spain.

Herrera: More than just catenaccio

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:46:00 GMT

Helenio Herrera was known as the mastermind of the catenaccio, but he left a legacy of far more than a tactical system popularised by the league titles and cups it won. Here, FIFA.com brings you the story of a revolutionary coach.

Turkey and Hungary share spoils

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:44:00 GMT

Substitute Daniel Bode scored two minutes after coming on to earn Hungary a valuable FIFA World Cup qualifying point in Istanbul. Burak Yilmaz had earlier given the hosts the lead.

Magyars looking to get back to the big time

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:41:00 GMT

FIFA.com spoke to Gabor Kiraly and Balazs Dzsudzsak ahead of Hungary's crucial Brazil 2014 qualifier in Turkey as the current crop seek to revive the fabled name of the Magyars and end a three-decade drought from the world stage.

Crunch time for former champions

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:03:00 GMT

Spain's trip to France is among the eye-catching fixtures in Tuesday's European Zone FIFA World Cup qualifiers. FIFA.com previews the action.

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.

Romania late show denies Hungary

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:30:00 GMT

A last-gasp Alexandru Chipciu goal secured Romania a share of the spoils in their Brazil 2014 qualifier against Hungary in Budapest, with the pair remaining five points off leaders Netherlands.

Budapest’s history boys

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:34:00 GMT

While not the city’s biggest, the Budapest derby between Ferencvaros and Honved is loaded with historical significance. FIFA.com tells its story.

New-look Stars and Stripes shine in Algarve

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:04:00 GMT

A change in coach seems to have made little difference to world No1 USA who have continued their seemingly unstoppable momentum with yet another victory at the prestigious Algarve Cup as FIFA.com wraps up the 12-nation tournament.

Bayern blitz Bremen, Hanover roll Hamburg

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:07:00 GMT

Hanover notched five goals against Hamburg, Augsburg tallied their third win of the season and Bayern Munich put six past Werder Bremen to put the Bundesliga leaders 18 points clear at the top.

Hanover held at Nuremberg, Stuttgart win

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:11:00 GMT

Nuremberg's Sebastian Polter netted a 92nd minute equaliser to hold Hanover to a 2-2 draw, while Stuttgart notched an early goal to defeat Hoffenheim 1-0.

Zenit outgun Liverpool, Bale shines for Spurs

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:59:00 GMT

Holders Atletico Madrid were toppled 2-0 by Rubin Kazan and Zenit St Petersburg beat Liverpool by the same margin, while two stunning Gareth Bale goals edged Tottenham past Lyon as the UEFA Europa League knockout stage began.

FIFA rejects Hungary and Bulgaria appeals

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:05:00 GMT

The appeals lodged by the Hungarian Football Federation and Bulgarian Football Union have been rejected and the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee rendered on 20 November 2012, are confirmed in their entirety.

150 years of organised football

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:32:00 GMT

The FA kick off their 150th year with one of the most iconic fixtures in international football tomorrow, England-Brazil. To begin the FA’s celebrations, FIFA.com takes a look back at the last 150 years of organised football.

Hungary and Bulgaria sanctioned to play without spectators

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:36:00 GMT

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on both the Hungarian Football Federation and Bulgarian Football Union after incidents in recent international fixtures, both requiring to play their next game without supporters.

Magic numbers

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 08:35:00 GMT

Retiring squad numbers worn by club legends is a practice traditionally associated with American sports, but football too has a lengthening list of hallowed numbers. FIFA.com takes a closer look.

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.

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.

Russians overcome Italians as English held

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 23:02:00 GMT

There were notable wins for Rubin Kazan and Anzhi Makhachkala, beating Inter Milan and Udinese, while Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Liverpool all played out draws in the UEFA Europa League.

Drama, draws and dazzling displays

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:06:00 GMT

A busy night of international football saw France claim a late win against Italy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Suarez shine, while Saudi Arabia claimed a famous draw with Argentina.

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.

12 Member Associations bid for 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:02:00 GMT

After six successful editions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and with Tahiti 2013 looming on the horizon, a dozen Member Associations from five continents are in the running to host the 2015 tournament.

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.

Turkish hopes dented after Hungary defeat

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:26:00 GMT

Turkey's hopes of FIFA World Cup qualification receded even further tonight as they slumped to a 3-1 defeat in Hungary.

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.

Hungary back on track with win in Tallinn

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:23:00 GMT

Hungary returned to winning ways in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group D this evening with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Estonia in Tallinn.

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.

Van Gaal calms RVP fears

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:59:00 GMT

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal played down concerns over the fitness of Robin van Persie after the Manchester United striker was replaced at half-time during last night's FIFA World Cup qualifying victory

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.

Lens double leads Dutch to victory

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:56:00 GMT

Jeremain Lens bagged two goals as the Netherlands showed their class during a 4-1 victory over Group D rivals Hungary in Budapest.

Heitinga: Dutch cannot dwell

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:29:00 GMT

John Heitinga says it is time for the Netherlands to "look ahead" following their miserable UEFA EURO 2012 campaign, while Turkey goalkeeper Tolga Zengin has discussed their clash with Estonia.

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.

Krul injury blow for Netherlands

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:01:00 GMT

The Netherlands will have to do without goalkeeper Tim Krul for their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Turkey after the Newcastle United No1 suffered an elbow injury.

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.

Hungary hit five in Andorra

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:41:00 GMT

An evening that began badly for Andorra got little better as Hungary fired five past them at the Estadio Comunal de Aixovall.

Avci upbeat ahead of qualifying campaign

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:24:00 GMT

Turkey coach Abdullah Avci is hoping his positive outlook will rub off on his players as they open their FIFA World Cup qualifying programme against Netherlands tomorrow night.

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.

Prolific predators, droughts and a drubbing

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 07:23:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s latest stats review features Sir Alex Ferguson recording another milestone in a match in which Robin van Persie also wrote a piece of history, along with joy for Radamel Falcao and relief for Diego Forlan.

Ranking rise boosts the Red Snappers

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:25:00 GMT

The Maldives won their first-ever trophy in 2008 and have continued to progress thereafter, as shown by their rise to 162nd on the latest global ladder. FIFA.com charts their recent success.

Roda sign up Kadar

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:04:00 GMT

Eredivisie side Roda JC have signed Hungarian international Tamas Kadar after the defender's contract expired at Newcastle United following a spate of injuries.

Gold gives birth to the Magical Magyars

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:17:00 GMT

On its 60th anniversary, FIFA.com recalls what is considered the birth of one of international football’s greatest-ever sides: Hungary’s victory over Yugoslavia in the Olympic final.

Szalai signs new Mainz contract

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:59:00 GMT

Hungary international Adam Szalai has extended his contract with Bundesliga side Mainz, who he describes as "a particularly special club for me", until 2015.

Huszti returns to Hannover

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:55:00 GMT

Bundesliga side Hannover have completed the signing of former midfielder Szabolcs Huszti on a three-year deal from Zenit St. Petersburg.

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.

What's the best-ever international team?

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:52:00 GMT

What is the greatest side in the history of international football? Join the debate here on FIFA.com.

Trapattoni: Hungary draw not bad

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:40:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni has come down from his fiery response to Republic of Ireland's goalless draw with Hungary, and is confident the side ready for the UEFA EURO 2012.

Irish maintain unbeaten run in Hungary

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 23:07:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given and John O'Shea made their return to the starting line-up as the Irish secured a 0-0 draw with Hungary in their last friendly ahead of UEFA EURO 2012.