FIFA.com - News

Favourites struggle as Eto'o returns

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:44:00 GMT

The last two African champions only managed draws in the latest round of African qualifying for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, but Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o led his side to victory over Togo with a brace. FIFA.com reviews the action.

African aspirants resume journey

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:34:00 GMT

Burkina Faso and Ghana are just two of the sides hoping to make headway on the third matchday of action in the group stage of CAF qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

West Africa strikes back

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:52:00 GMT

For the first time ever, four teams from one region make up the semi-finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations as a team from the West African Football Union is guaranteed to win the continental showpiece for the first time since 1994.

Ecuador, Haiti climb to highest-ever slots

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 09:00:00 GMT

Ecuador and Haiti have risen personal bests of 12th and 38th respectively on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, while Uzbekistan, Panama, Libya and Cuba have also made impressive progress.

Blatter: Football must bring people together

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:59:00 GMT

Addressing the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala audience and the innumerable people watching around the world, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter discussed the fight against racism and what makes a champion.

Busy year for African hopefuls

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:37:00 GMT

2012 has seen a few surprises in the African qualifying zone for the FIFA World Cup™ as the campaign reaches its midpoint. There's still all to play for in 2013 as the continent cuts down from 52 countries to five representatives.

Brazilian futsal kings reign supreme

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 04:18:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the action from Thailand 2012, where A Seleção clinched the world title for a fifth time after overcoming old foes Spain in the final.

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.

Pride over pain for departing teams

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com gathers reaction from the teams who fell at the first hurdle at Thailand 2012, with every one seemingly ready to accentuate the positive.

Trio advance, nervous wait for hosts

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 14:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks back on a day that brought joy for Japan, Paraguay and Portugal, and which left Thailand facing an anxious wait before learning if they have qualified for the last 16.

Narrow win puts Japan through

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:40:00 GMT

Japan have beaten Libya 4-2 but been pipped to second spot in Group C by Portugal, who advance directly to the last 16 by virtue of a superior goal difference.

D-day for hosts and other hopefuls

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 02:58:00 GMT

Thailand face a win-or-bust clash with Paraguay as we approach the final round of group matches, while Portugal and Japan are battling it out to join Brazil in going through from Group C.

Brazilian magic on day of comebacks

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Brazil cruised past Libya to become the first team through to the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 Round of 16, while Japan and Costa Rica staged thrilling fightbacks. FIFA.com reviews day four.

Brazil thrash Libya to advance

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:37:00 GMT

Reigning champions Brazil have beaten Libya 13-0 in Nakhon Ratchasima to make it through to the last 16 with a game to spare.

Last 16 in sight for group leaders

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 02:46:00 GMT

Brazil, Portugal and Thailand can advance to the last 16 with a game to spare if they see off Libya, Japan and Ukraine respectively in Groups A and C.

Goals and fans abound on opening day

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:06:00 GMT

FIFA.com summarises the exciting and goal-filled matches in Nahkon Ratchasima and Bangkok that kicked-off the seventh edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup .

Five-star Portugal begin brightly

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:49:00 GMT

It was a tale of two halves for Portugal's Cardinal who netted a hat-trick in the first and then injured in the second of the 5-1 win over Libya in Group C's opening game.

Hey: Libyan football is changing

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:25:00 GMT

Football is restoring hope among the population of Libya. FIFA.com caught up with Antoine Hey, the technical director of the country's FA to learn about his role with the Mediterranean Knights.

Libya duo draw on experience

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Mohamed Rahoma and Rabia Abdel speak to FIFA.com about their role in providing leadership and reassurance to the younger players in the Libya squad.

Holders, hosts get the party started

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:51:00 GMT

The highlights of the opening day's action at Thailand 2012 include the hosts' meeting with Costa Rica, and a clash between Japan and reigning champions Brazil.

Who will claim the futsal crown?

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:22:00 GMT

As Thailand 2012 draws ever closer, we want to know which team you think will lift the trophy on 18 November.

Thailand ready for flair, flicks and tricks

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 03:06:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012, where 24 countries will fight for the title between 1 and 18 November, including the respective world and European champions: Brazil and Spain.

Squads announced for futsal showpiece

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:33:00 GMT

Star names such as Falcao, Kike and Kazu Miura feature among the 336 players announced today in the squad lists for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.

Comebacks, shocks as continental line-up set

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 04:07:00 GMT

Four teams reversed their ties from the first leg in the final qualifying stage for January's CAF Africa Cup of Nations, although Cameroon suffered a shock elimination at the hands of a resurgent Cape Verde Islands.

Cameroon crash out, Ethiopia qualify

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:04:00 GMT

Cameroon have failed to reach the CAF Africa Cup of Nations again after losing 3-2 on aggregate to Cape Verde Islands, while Ethiopia saw off Sudan to reach the finals.

Big guns facing elimination

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:07:00 GMT

There will be tension across the entire African continent this weekend as 15 berths for next year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations go on the line, with a number of upsets on the cards.

Mr Hat-Trick savouring life in Iran

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:44:00 GMT

FIFA.com chats with Eamon Zayed about his transfer to Persepolis, his ambitions to represent Libya, the differences between Asian and European football, and his new nickname.

Elephants rampage, Indomitable Lions fade

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire impressed in a goalfest against Senegal, holders Zambia left a lot to do in the second leg, and four-time winners Cameroon slumped to defeat. FIFA.com reviews the latest CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Regional rivalries highlight last round

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 08:29:00 GMT

A west African derby between Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal is the most hotly anticipated of the final stage of 2013 AFCON qualifying ties, which begin this weekend.

Portugal climb fourth as African quartet fly

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:02:00 GMT

Portugal have moved above Uruguay into fourth place on the global ladder, while Ecuador and Switzerland have risen to 17th and 20th respectively and four African teams have achieved their highest-ever positions.

Draw made for FIFA Futsal World Cup

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:40:00 GMT

Fans have been eagerly awaiting the draw for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, and the six groups were revealed at the official ceremony in Bangkok, with FIFA.com of course in attendance.

England hit high, South Sudan debut

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 08:58:00 GMT

England climbed to third on the global ladder as Ecuador, Libya, Central African Republic, Dominican Republic, Aruba and American Samoa also reached personal bests, while South Sudan made their first appearance.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 09:40:00 GMT

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays during the coming week.

Morocco shock favourites to lift cup

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 09:16:00 GMT

The 2012 Arab Nations Cup presented its fair share of surprises, with the most prominent of which being Morocco's run into the final and their thrilling 3-1 win on penalties over Libya.

CAN qualifiers take further shape

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:36:00 GMT

The final qualifying round for the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations has pitted Côte d'Ivoire against Senegal, while defending champions Zambia launch their qualifying campaign versus Uganda.

North Africans rule the futsal court

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 08:15:00 GMT

Egypt, Morocco and reigning continental champions Libya will fly Africa's flag in Thailand later this year after emerging triumphant from the continent's qualifying competition over the weekend.

Late goals go North Africa's way

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:29:00 GMT

Libya and Egypt both secured dramatic late wins on Sunday as Africa's FIFA World Cup™ qualifying group stage continued in thrilling fashion.

Crunch clashes come early in Africa

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:18:00 GMT

Algeria are just one of the African favourites making tricky away debuts this weekend in Brazil 2014 qualifying, while Ghana travel to face continental champions Zambia. FIFA.com previews a heavy schedule of crucial fixtures in Africa.

Final hurdle looms for African sextet

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 05:48:00 GMT

Six African nations will meet in home and away ties over the coming fortnight to determine three continental representatives for Thailand 2012.

Bafana falter on day of frustration

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:49:00 GMT

It was a tough day for strikers in Africa as Bafana Bafana were held at home by Ethiopia, Nigeria just earned a win and no side managed more than a single goal.

Brazil dreams inspire unlikely Libyans

Thu, 31 May 2012 09:26:00 GMT

Libyan fans and players are hoping the national team can keep spirits high in the troubled North African country with a successful run through their Brazil 2014 qualifying group.

African favourites seek home comfort

Thu, 31 May 2012 02:41:00 GMT

The Brazil 2014 preliminaries reach the group stage in Africa this weekend with a host of continental giants seeking to ease anxieties by making a positive start to their respective campaigns.

Football gives hope to afflicted Libyans

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:33:00 GMT

Every Monday, FIFA.com delivers you a football-related photo you won’t be able to resist paying a second glance to. This week’s shows kids having footballing fun in what was previously a war zone.

Six helping Togo to turn the page

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:37:00 GMT

A French international during a golden period for Les Bleus, Didier Six is leading Togo beyond a difficult recent past and looking to guide the Hawks to Brazil 2014.

Uruguay reach all-time high, Asian trio soar

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:03:00 GMT

Uruguay jumped to a personal best of third on the latest edition of the FIFA Ranking as the Netherlands fell out of the top three, while Denmark, Korea DPR, Turkmenistan and the Philippines made progress.

More than just a win

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:57:00 GMT

With Zambia's triumph at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations serving as a reminder of the power football can hold upon one nation's spirits, FIFA.com looks back at similar feats that have captured the hearts of fans around the world.

Zambian joy ends emotional tournament

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:26:00 GMT

Zambia's remarkable penalty shoot-out victory over favourites Côte d’Ivoire capped three superb weeks of football in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as Africa's elite sought continental glory.

Bittersweet win for Libya, Zambia go top

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:13:00 GMT

Libya secured their first CAF Africa Cup of Nations victory for 30 years with a triumph over Senegal but their hopes were extinguished as Zambia edged co-hosts Equatorial Guinea to top the group.

Libya end on high, Senegal sputter out

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:32:00 GMT

Despite claiming a 2-1 win over Senegal, Libya have crashed out of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia cementing their fate in a victory over Equatorial Guinea in the other Group A match.

Libya hopeful against eliminated Senegal

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 11:01:00 GMT

Libya hope to reach the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals tomorrow by earning three points against an eliminated Senegal side who have been 'unlucky' according to captain Mamadou Niang.