FIFA.com - News

Asian women begin bid for Canada

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:11:00 GMT

The journey towards the newly enlarged 24-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup™ begins this week for Asia’s aspirants with the continent set to field a record number of contenders.

Syrian football thriving despite troubles

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:14:00 GMT

In a special report, FIFA.com takes a look at how football in Syria is flourishing, despite the troubles affecting the country as a WAFF championship win has spurred players and coaches to new challenges.

Favourites drop points as underdogs shine

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:05:00 GMT

It was a momentous day of qualifying action in Asia which saw wins in Group A for the home sides and shock results in Group B which temporarily denied Japan's progression to Brazil 2014.

Jordan stun Japan to postpone progression

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:53:00 GMT

Jordan pulled off a surprise 2-1 win over Asian champions Japan to prevent the visitors becoming the first side to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, largely thanks to an Amer Sabbah penalty-save.

Early progression in Japan's sights

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:19:00 GMT

Japan travel to Jordan on Tuesday knowing that a win or even a draw could be enough to make them the first team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup™ for the second time in succession.

Executive Committee strongly backs further governance reforms and strengthens fight against racism and discrimination

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:17:00 GMT

Chaired by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, the FIFA Executive Committee held its first meeting of the year at the Home of FIFA in Zurich over the last two days.

Honda, Nagatomo out of Jordan trip

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:59:00 GMT

Japan are set to be without Keisuke Honda and Yuto Nagatomo for their upcoming FIFA World Cup™ qualifier with Jordan, but coach Alberto Zaccheroni believes they can cope.

Asian favourites open brightly

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:55:00 GMT

The journey towards AFC Asian Cup qualification began with continental giants Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia opening in bright fashion while ten-man Hong Kong managed to collect a point on the road against 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan.

Journey to Asian glory opens with key match-ups

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:34:00 GMT

The long road to qualification for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia commences on Wednesday with a massive matchday featuring ten matches and four former continental kings. FIFA.com previews all the action.

Japan cruise as giants flounder

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 01:30:00 GMT

2012 witnessed the decisive fourth round of qualifying in the Asian Zone for Brazil 2014. It's Japan who appear to be in the strongest position, while Australia will look to make home advantage count during the next calendar year.

Syrians reign supreme in West Asia

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:48:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks back at the highlights of the seventh edition of the WAFF Championship, and turns the spotlight on some of the teams that made their mark, most notably Syria who defied the odds to be crowned regional kings.

Tough draw for Chinese champions

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande have been placed in a group containing Jeonbuk Motors and Urawa Red Diamonds when the 2013 AFC Champions League draw was made today.

Victories excite Asian media

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:41:00 GMT

FIFA.com collects all of the reaction and comments from around Asia following the latest round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to take place across the region.

Trio celebrate as Iran stumble

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:09:00 GMT

Japan took a giant step toward early qualification for Brazil 2014, while Qatar and Iraq also picked up positive results on a night when Uzbekistan inflicted a rare home defeat on Iran.

Ahmed keeps Iraqi dream alive

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:52:00 GMT

A late goal from Hammadi Ahmed saw Iraq's chances of reaching Brazil 2014 given a timely boost as they saw off Jordan 1-0 to keep their destiny in their own hands with three games to go.

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.

Familiar foes reunite in Asian showdowns

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 07:29:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers in Asia as the final round reaches beyond the midway point, with a crucial matchday highlighted by Iran hosting Uzbekistan, and Japan travelling to Oman.

Asian youngsters primed for test

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:42:00 GMT

The AFC U-19 Championship begins in United Arab Emirates tomorrow with four places at the FIFA U-20 World Cup up for grabs as well as continental glory.

Asian press reflect on crucial results

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Tim Cahill, Archie Thompson and their fellow Socceroos came in for praise in Australia following their victory in Iraq, while Oman received the plaudits for a decisive victory and Qatar were urged to determine what went wrong against Uzbekistan.

Strugglers taste first wins in Asia

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:24:00 GMT

Late goals and drama marked Asia's matchday 5, with a trio of struggling sides reigniting their hopes with opening wins as the final qualifying round reached the crucial halfway point.

Oman hold off Jordan for crucial victory

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:21:00 GMT

Oman, who began the day bottom of Group B, survived a late onslaught from Jordan to win 2-1 and revivify their hopes of reaching Brazil 2014.

Familiar foes take centre stage

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:20:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014 reaches its halfway point on Tuesday with a series of crucial matches in both groups, headlined by Korea Republic’s visit to Iran, and Iraq facing Australia.

Former champions handed tough draws

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:36:00 GMT

China PR, Iraq, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have been grouped together in AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifying, while Iran will join Kuwait, Thailand and Lebanon in another tough pool.

Crafty Hamad does it again

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:19:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks to Jordan's wily coach Adnan Hamad with the former Iraq mentor lifting the nation towards an unlikely berth at Brazil 2014 on the back of their recent win over Australia, a result which sent the nation into raptures.

Davids saluted as Goliaths feel the heat

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:58:00 GMT

With Australia and Iran coming in for criticism and Jordan and Lebanon earning high praise, FIFA.com looks at the Asian media’s reaction to its latest FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Underdogs steal the show in Asia

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:28:00 GMT

There were a number of shocks in Asian FIFA World Cup™ today as Lebanon pulled of a shock to beat Iran, while Australia were defeated by Jordan. FIFA.com reviews the day's games.

Must-win fixtures for Asian underdogs

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 10:22:00 GMT

With Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Jordan and Japan hosting Korea Republic, Iran, Australia and Iraq respectively, FIFA.com previews Matchday 4 in the final round of Asian Zone qualifying.

Schwarzer: Qualification drives me

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 08:00:00 GMT

With almost 20 years of action with Australia and 100 caps now under his belt, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer tells FIFA.com how all he is focused on is qualification for Brazil 2014 and how it would benefit Australian football.

Asian giants in differing form

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:55:00 GMT

Ahead of next week's latest round of Brazil 2014 qualifiers, several of the remaining ten contenders in Asia took part in friendlies to hone their preparation. FIFA.com has all of the details.

Neill calls for victory over Jordan

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:07:00 GMT

After a slow start to Round 4 of Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ by Australia, captain Lucas Neill has called for victory over Jordan in their next match, but admits it won't be easy.

Blatter: Few can match El-Gohary’s achievements

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:52:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has hailed the legacy left by the celebrated Egyptian footballer and coach Mahmoud El-Gohary, who died on Monday at the age of 74.

Shafi: We still have a chance

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:59:00 GMT

Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi has vowed that his side will fight for every point possible during the fourth round of qualification for Brazil 2014.

Cahill recalled to Socceroos squad

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:39:00 GMT

New York Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill has been included in Holger Osieck's 22-man Australia squad for their friendly with Lebanon and FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan.

Arab ambitions for Turkey 2013

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 08:51:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at some of the sides taking part in the Arab U-20 Championship in Jordan and gauges their hopes of reaching next year's U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

East Asians stroll as Aussies stall

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 19:56:00 GMT

The second matchday of Asia's final qualifying group for Brazil 2014 saw Japan and Korea Republic pull off big wins, while Australia struggled to a draw in Muscat.

Japan put six past Jordan

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:31:00 GMT

A treble from Keisuke Honda helped Japan to a 6-0 win over Jordan in Asian Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014, much to the delight of coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

Titanic trio take centre stage in Asia

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 07:27:00 GMT

Asia’s qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014 will gather momentum on Friday as Australia and Korea Republic make their bow in the Round Four stage with trips to Oman and Qatar respectively.

Japan-Jordan, a curious rivalry

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 08:03:00 GMT

As they prepare to meet for the fourth time, FIFA.com looks back at the statistically-curious rivalry between Japan and Jordan.

Asian hopefuls draw first blood

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:46:00 GMT

Japan and Iran came out the happiest after the second day of Round 4 of qualifying for Brazil 2014 following wins, as FIFA.com reviews the four games that took place across Asia.

Familiar foes, new targets

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:28:00 GMT

Asia’s final stage of Brazil 2014 qualifying commences on Sunday with a host of key clashes featuring some of the continent’s elite, while a number of new faces are intent on making an impression.

Narrow wins send quartet through

Wed, 30 May 2012 18:08:00 GMT

We take a look at the latest action in the AFC Champions League, with Adelaide United, Bunyodkor, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Ulsan Hyundai all booking their places in the quarter-finals.

Miyaichi among 25-man Japan squad

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:24:00 GMT

Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi has been included in Alberto Zaccheroni's 25-man squad for Japan's three FIFA World Cup qualifying matches next month.

Bani Yaseen: Jordan full of determination

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:40:00 GMT

As Jordan prepare to make their debut appearance in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for Brazil 2014, FIFA.com spoke to their captain, Bashar Bani Yaseen.

Silverware and stuttering leaders

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:53:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of club action across Asia and Oceania looks at stumbles for the leaders in Iran, Japan and Korea Republic, while at the other end of the spectrum new kings were crowned in Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon.

Silverware polished across two continents

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:08:00 GMT

Champions were crowned in UAE and New Zealand, the OFC club crown hangs in the balance, while FIFA.com also looks at Japan, Korea Republic and elsewhere in our weekly review of Asian and Oceanian club action.

Park predicts decade until Asian triumph

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:03:00 GMT

Former Korea Republic captain Park Ji-Sung has said he thinks an Asian country could bring home the FIFA World Cup in a decade's time thanks to the improvements it has made in recent years.

New and old clash in Group B

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:36:00 GMT

Some of Asia’s most prominent football nations – Australia, Japan and Iraq – have been drawn alongside some new names as the continent’s Brazil 2014 qualifiers head towards a climax.

Coaches relishing Asian match-ups

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:45:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the reaction from some of the coaches and officials who were on hand at AFC House to witness the draw for Asia's final qualifying round for Brazil 2014.

Asia's final round takes shape

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:46:00 GMT

The final round of qualifying in Asia for Brazil 2014 has finally taken shape, with ten teams learning the challenges that await when the final-round draw took place at AFC House.

Unfancied trio turns heads in Asia

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:40:00 GMT

There was no shortage of surprises in Round Three of Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014, with outsiders Jordan, Lebanon and Oman among the ten teams to reach the final phase.