FIFA.com - News

FIFA awards further TV rights for 2015-2022

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:16:00 GMT

The FIFA Executive Committee has decided on sales and distribution of FIFA media rights between 2015 and 2022 in Australia, Canada and the Caribbean, and awarded the sales representation for selected territories in Asia to Infront Sports & Media.

Dordoy-Dinamo reclaim title from rivals

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 05:23:00 GMT

Dordoy-Dinamo reclaimed the Kyrgyzstan league title by defeating previous champions Neftchi Kochkorata and securing an insurmountable lead with two matches to spare.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:27:00 GMT

Singapore celebrated, while China PR were among the biggest winners as the final places in Asia's third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers were decided. FIFA.com rounds up the action.

China score six, Saudis hit five

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Asia's big guns in the preliminary qualification for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ saw their names make it into Saturday's Preliminary Draw with big wins as Saudi Arabia and China scored five and six apiece.

Asian hopefuls in do or die deciders

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Asia's second round of qualifiers reaching a climax today, with no fewer than 30 sides battling it out on the road to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. You can follow the action live on FIFA.com.

Asian favourites draw first blood

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Asia, which saw the traditional favourites take an advantage over their underdog opponents.

Thirty hopefuls begin road to round three

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Some intriguing second round, first legs are in store, with Kuwait-Philippines, Qatar-Vietnam, Singapore-Malaysia and United Arab Emirates-India catching the eye.

Brazil 2014 draw stirs Asian hopefuls

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Asian qualifying draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ which has thrown up a host of intriguing match-ups as some of the continents smaller footballing nations seek a share of the spotlight.

Asia's Brazil 2014 draw made

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:00 GMT

The AFC has conducted the draw for Asia’s first and second round qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

Asian Zone to play preliminary round for Brazil 2014

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:38:00 GMT

The members of the Asian Football Confederation are gearing up to begin the race for FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, with the draw for qualification set to take place on 30 March in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

China PR and Korea Republic reach last 16

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:54:00 GMT

China PR and Korea Republic both qualified for the last 16 of the Asian Games, both getting 3-0 wins in their final group matches.

Hong Kong finally qualify, champions Qatar follow

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:06:00 GMT

Hong Kong ended a 52-year wait to reach the knockout rounds of the Asian Games after a 4-1 win over Bangladesh, while Qatar topped Group D after a 2-0 win over neighbours Kuwait.

China grab injury-time lifeline

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:34:00 GMT

China recovered from their opening game defeat to Japan with a 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan today, but they needed two goals in the final ten minutes to come back from a goal behind.

Neftchi break Dodoy’s reign

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:11:00 GMT

The six-year reign of Dordoy-Dinamo came to a dramatic end as Neftchi Kochkorata secured the Kyrgyzstan league title on the last day of the season.

Beach soccer lays roots in Dubai

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:31:00 GMT

November 2009 will go down as a historic date for beach soccer in Dubai, with minds now focused on developing the discipline in the UAE.

Euro win boosts Germany

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:12:00 GMT

USA remain top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking, with Germany climbing into second place thanks to their UEFA Women's Euro triumph.

Blue Eagles set to soar

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:29:00 GMT

A low-profile addition to the Asian Football Confederation, Kyrgyzstan have shown signs of progress with a 17-place rise in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

Next week on FIFA.com

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:05:00 GMT

Can't wait to find out what exclusive interviews, features and classic stories are coming up on FIFA.com? Here's a look ahead to some of next week's top content.

Spain close gap on Brazil

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:01:00 GMT

Brazil retain top spot but Spain have made ground in the last month, while Czech Republic, Mexico and Kyrgyzstan all made impressive progress.

Matured India retain Nehru Cup

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:03:00 GMT

India are enjoying great success under Bob Houghton having retained the Nehru Cup to sit alongside last year's AFC Challenge Cup triumph.

Kyrgyzstan end Sri Lanka hopes

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Kyrgyzstan finished their failed campaign in the Nehru Cup on a high, defeating Sri Lanka 4-1 in their last league match at the Ambedkar Stadium.

Bhutia keeps India hopes alive

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:24:00 GMT

Captain Baichung Bhutia scored as India remained in contention to reach the Nehru Cup final thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan.

Jordan shine on road to Germany

Mon, 04 May 2009 09:46:00 GMT

The long path to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup has commenced in Asia with Jordan joined by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in the next stage.

Women's round-up: April 2009

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:03:00 GMT

In the first of a regular monthly review of women's football, FIFA.com reflects on an historic period of thrilling domestic and international action.

Futsal fever reaches Asia

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:55:00 GMT

Eight-times champions Iran will be the team to beat when the 2008 AFC Futsal Championship is staged in Thailand from 11 to 18 May.

Heavy blows for Asian giants

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Surprise results were on the menu in Asia as Japan and Saudi Arabia were both beaten on a Wednesday full of thrills and spills.

Big wins in Asia

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:58:00 GMT

Gamba Osaka came out on top of a seven-goal thriller on Wednesday while J-League champions Kashima Antlers strolled to another huge victory.

What is the most exciting league?

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:58:00 GMT

Planet football is home to a number of captivating national championships. But which, do you feel, is the most most exciting league in the world?

Asian route marked out

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:42:00 GMT

Asia's FIFA World Cup preliminaries have been decided, with the continent's big five set to start with home fixtures against the groups' underdogs.

Asia's ups and downs

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:51:00 GMT

The Asian confederation has produced more than its fair share of joy and drama in FIFA World Cup qualifying down through the years.

Favourites clear first hurdle

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:25:00 GMT

Despite some courageous underdog attempts, the favourites all completed aggregate wins to clear the first hurdle in the race to South Africa 2010.

Aspirants out to preserve dream

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:30:20 GMT

Fifteen decisive first round, second leg matches will take place on Sunday as Asia takes a step towards determining its representatives in South Africa.

Maiden triumph for hosts India

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:01:00 GMT

India lifted the Nehru Cup for the first time, but there was also reason to cheer for losing finalists Syria and the other three participating teams.

Quartet make home advantage count

Thu, 24 May 2007 10:01:00 GMT

Home advantage proved decisive as Sepahan, Uwara Reds, Al Karama and Seongnam Chunma booked their passage to the last eight of the competition.

Japan's Urawa into Champions League quarters

Wed, 23 May 2007 13:59:00 GMT

J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds drew 0-0 with Sydney FC on Wednesday to clinch a place in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

Frontale make history as trio progress

Thu, 10 May 2007 14:10:00 GMT

Kawasaki Frontale were among the three teams who claimed places alongside defending champions Jeonbuk Motors in the last eight of the competition.

AFC chief re-elected

Tue, 08 May 2007 07:08:00 GMT

Mohamed Bin Hammam was elected unopposed to a second four-year term as Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president.

Quartet edge closer to last eight

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:02:00 GMT

After a tense and hard-fought fourth round of matches, four teams have inched to within touching distance of the quarter-finals.

Asian Cup ticket sales start

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:25:00 GMT

Tickets have gone on sale online for the AFC Asian Cup finals, where the presence of Australia has increased interest in the tournament to new heights.

Eastern duo lead the way

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:39:00 GMT

Japan and Korea Republic set the standard for Asia by qualifying for the final stage of Olympic qualifiers with two matches to spare.

Shandong & Al Wahda set the standard

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:54:00 GMT

China's Shandong Luneng and Al Wahda of UAE maintained their winning streaks, while a Japanese duo edged closer to the last eight.

Ecstasy for east Asians

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:03:00 GMT

Japan, Korea DPR and Korea Republic yesterday celebrated victories in the latest round of qualifiers for Beijing 2008.

Joseph S. Blatter in Central Asia

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:55:00 GMT

This week, the FIFA President is making an official visit to four Central Asian countries: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Giantkillers emerge as favourites fall

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:07:00 GMT

It was a day of surprises in Asia as several of the AFC Champions League favourites suffered stunning setbacks in Wednesday's second round matches.

AFC chief Bin Hammam re-elected to new four-year term

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 05:44:00 GMT

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam has been re-elected unopposed to a second four-year term, with his position to be formalised in May.

Asian celebration for Sydney

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:31:00 GMT

Inaugural winners Al Ain lost out, but the main Champions League headline-grabbers were Sydney FC, who tasted their first Asian victory away to Shanghai Shenhua.

Aussies bolster Asian field

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 13:16:00 GMT

Matchday 1 of the 2007 AFC Champions League sees Aussie duo Sydney FC and Adelaide United come up against the cream of Asian club football for the first time.

Zidane hails Asian football's progress

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 12:34:00 GMT

Zinedine Zidane has praised Asian football's recent progress, adding that players like Shunsuke Nakamura are inspiring a generation.

Italy oust Brazil to take top spot

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:35:00 GMT

Brazil's remarkable 55-month run at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking standings has been ended by the Azzurri.

Asia planning major leagues' revamp

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 01:10:00 GMT

Ten of Asia's top football leagues are set to be revamped as part of the AFC's drive to make them more commercially viable and attractive to fans.