FIFA.com - News

Worldwide sanctions imposed on players from Estonia, Lebanon

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:18:00 GMT

FIFA can today confirm the worldwide extension of sanctions imposed on eight players by the Estonian Football Association and one player by the Lebanese Football Association relating to match-manipulation and fraud investigations.

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.

FIFA extends Lebanese match-fixing sanctions

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA can today confirm the worldwide extension of disciplinary sanctions imposed by the Lebanese Football Association against 23 players and one official following match-fixing investigations conducted in Lebanon this year.

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.

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.

West Asian duo maintain perfect run

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 01:29:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the action from Friday’s abbreviated AFC Asian Cup matchday with Bahrain and United Arab Emirates the big winners, as 2011 semi-finalists Uzbekistan were undone on the road.

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.

Hassan aiming for repeat of Iran heroics

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:01:00 GMT

Despite a mixed start to his international career, Swedish-bred Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas Hassan has made a strong claim to the Cedars' No1 jersey, most notably with a starring role in a famous Brazil 2014 qualifying win over Iran.

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.

Familiar trio head up Asian contenders

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:50:00 GMT

Five days of action in Doha produced countless thrilling matches and an avalanche of goals but when the dust settled it was three familiar names in Iran, Japan and United Arab Emirates who had won through to Tahiti 2013.

Asian giants face challenge in Doha

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:31:00 GMT

The Qatari capital Doha is set to host the AFC qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013, as teams hope for one of the three tickets to the event in September. FIFA.com previews the qualifiers.

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.

Launch of the FIFA/CIES programme

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:50:00 GMT

Notre Dame University - Louaize (NDU) in the city of Zouk Mosbeh (Lebanon), a CIES partner since 2012, officially launched the registration procedure for the first edition of the FIFA/CIES Programme in sport management, which will start at the beginning of March 2013.

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.

Sublime Soria strike gives Qatar hope

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:28:00 GMT

Qatar are suddenly back in the mix for a spot at 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ after a 1-0 win over Lebanon, courtesy of Sebastian Soria's long-range goal, sees them just a point off the top of Group A.

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.

Lebanon's Antar eyes further success

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:09:00 GMT

Lebanon have enjoyed significant improvement in recent years and the ongoing form of talismanic captain Roda Antar will continue to be crucial if the Cedars are to continue their unlikely push for Brazil 2014.

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.

Decisive action at the top across Asia

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:21:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly wrap-up of Asian club football looks at significant activity at the summit in Japan and China PR, while there is also a review of early-season action in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.

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.

Historic win for Lebanon over Iran

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:54:00 GMT

Lebanon claimed their first ever win over regional heavyweights Iran, with Roda Antar's header providing a 1-0 victory, to keep hopes alive of reaching their maiden FIFA World Cup™ finals.

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.

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.

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.

Australia, Lebanon to play inaugural international

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 07:50:00 GMT

Australia has lined up a friendly against Lebanon in Beirut in the first senior international between the two nations, with the pair both preparing for FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers five days later.

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.

Two months of FIFA development: April-May 2012

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com provides the highlights, points of note and status of FIFA development programmmes all over the world from April and May 2012.

Mixed results for Asian favourites

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:26:00 GMT

Korea Republic were the big winners on Matchday 3 of Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, while Australia and Japan fought out a delicious 1-1 draw in a replay of last year's AFC Asian Cup final.

Kim brace as Koreans defeat Lebanon

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:42:00 GMT

Kim Bo-Kyung scored twice as Korea Republic eased to a 3-0 win over Lebanon in Goyang to take them a step closer to their eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup™ finals.

Heavyweight tussles loom large in Asia

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:29:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for Brazil 2014 gathers momentum on Tuesday as four more crucial matches take place highlighted by Australia hosting Japan as the continent’s two top-ranked nations meet.

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.

Lebanon out to overcome Antar's absence

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 11:25:00 GMT

Roda Antar's injury has hit Lebanon hard but the Cedars captain tells FIFA.com that his team can still thrive in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers without him.

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.

CIES signs a partnership agreement in Lebanon

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:38:00 GMT

CIES signed a partnership agreement with Notre Dame University (NDU) in Zouk Mosbeh, near Beirut, last week. This academic institution, which benefits from an excellent reputation in Lebanon, will organise the FIFA/CIES Sport Management Programme.

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.

The return of Lebanon's prodigal sons

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:17:00 GMT

Theo Bucker's Lebanon are riding a wave of long-awaited success, and FIFA.com caught up with two of the teams standouts: Mohamed Ghaddar and Zakaria Charara.

AFC's finest chasing Thailand 2012 places

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Four tickets to the FIFA Futsal World Cup will be up for grabs when Asia's 16 best sides meet in the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship this week. FIFA.com previews the tournament.

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.

Fakhreddine: We need more support

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Darine Fakhreddine excels between the posts for Lebanon's football and futsal women's teams, representing a beacon of hope for gender equality in the Middle East through football.

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.

Familiar foes reunited en route to Brazil

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:53:00 GMT

The pitting of Korea Republic and Iran, two well-established Asian rivals, in Group A is sure to make for an intriguing spectacle, while Uzbekistan are lurking as the section's likely dark horses.

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.

Promotion joy to top-tier glory

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:52:00 GMT

Some of the best footballing triumphs are sweetest when least expected. FIFA.com takes a look at a number of promoted sides, who upon their return to their country's first division, sprung a surprise and went on to win the title.

Progression celebrated in Asian media

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:35:00 GMT

After a dramatic final matchday in the third round of Asian Zone qualifiers for Brazil 2014, FIFA.com looks at how the media and coaches have been reacting across the continent.