FIFA.com - News

Debutants pass first test en route to Canada

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the highlights of the first matches in FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 qualifying, which recently took place in Lithuania and Malta.

Lithuania, Malta first stops on road to Canada

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the Canada 2015 qualifiers, with global qualifying commencing on Thursday with a mini-tournament involving Europe's eight lowest-ranked teams.

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.

Lithuania and Slovakia share points

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 22:01:00 GMT

Lithuania took an early lead but Slovakia levelled five minutes before the break as the two teams settled for a point each in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group G.

Susic: I'll only be satisfied with victory

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:17:00 GMT

Ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Greece in Group G, Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic has said he won't be satisfied with a draw, while Slovakia will look to get their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying back on track.

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.

Northern Europe’s confirmed champions

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 07:12:00 GMT

While some of the more headline-grabbing divisions across Europe are only meeting their mid-point, however in much of Scandinavia and the north of the continent their champions have been crowned. FIFA.com rounds-up these leagues.

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.

A month of FIFA development: September 2012

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:53:00 GMT

In the latest of our monthly round-ups, FIFA.com shines a light on the main events and activities undertaken by FIFA to keep you abreast of development efforts around the world.

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.

First-half flurry sees Bosnia-Herzegovina cruise

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Three goals in the first half allowed Bosnia-Herzegovina to enjoy an uncomplicated evening in Group G FIFA World Cup™ qualifying against Lithuania.

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.

Cesnauskis at the double for Lithuania

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:27:00 GMT

Edgaras Cesnauskis struck twice in the second half as visiting Lithuania took all three points in their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

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.

Portugal go third as Colombia fly into top ten

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Portugal and Argentina climbed to third and fourth respectively on the global ladder as Colombia returned to the top ten for the first time in over a decade. Elsewhere, Belgium, Serbia and Central African Republic made impressive progress.

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.

Greece claim comfortable win over Lithuania

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Second-half goals from Sotiris Ninis and Kostas Mitroglou gave Greece their second straight win in Group G with a 2-0 success over Lithuania in Piraeus.

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.

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.

Spoils shared by Lithuania, Slovakia

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:08:00 GMT

Both teams had a man sent off as Lithuania and Slovakia drew 1-1 in Group G, with Marek Sapara equalising for the visitors after Marius Zaliukas' opener.

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.

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.

Bobrov spurs Soviets to dream comeback

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:29:00 GMT

Exactly sixty years ago, Yugoslavia led Soviet Union 5-1 with just 15 minutes remaining in their fight for a place in the Olympic quarter-finals. Thereafter, though, Vsevolod Bobrov inspired one of the greatest fightbacks in football history.

Roma announce Svedkauskas signing, Stoian deal

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:34:00 GMT

Emerging goalkeeper Tomas Svedkauskas has joined Roma from FK Suduva, while I Giallorossi have also bought the sporting rights to midfielder Adrian Stoian.

Laszlo appointed Lithuania coach

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:38:00 GMT

Csaba Laszlo today was appointed the new coach of the Lithuanian national team, replacing Raimondas Zutautas who quit after a woeful UEFA EURO 2012 qualification campaign.

Development in Costa Rica, wins for Brazil

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 07:24:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at the latest developments in the world of Futsal, just one year out from start of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand.

Zutautas leaves Lithuania post

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:53:00 GMT

After his team's disappointing UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign ended with a 4-1 defeat by Czech Republic, Raimondas Zutautas has quit his position as Lithuania coach.

Czechs convince to book play-off place

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:11:00 GMT

Ten-man Czech Republic sealed a convincing 4-1 win over Lithuania to secure second place in Group I and a UEFA EURO 2012 play-off berth, while Spain helped the victors by defeating Scotland.

Levein: We have nothing to fear

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:26:00 GMT

Craig Levein believes his Scotland side have nothing to fear against Spain in their final UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, with them needing to at least match Lithuania to qualify for the play-offs in second place.

Greece, Belgium push for qualification

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:00 GMT

Greece moved into pole position in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification Group F after beating fellow contenders Croatia 2-0, while Belgium beat Kazakhstan 4-1 to move into second in Group A at Turkey's expense.

Scots take slender edge over Lithuania

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:17:00 GMT

Scotland took a slender 1-0 edge over Lithuania in their UEFA EURO 2012 Group I qualifier, with Steven Naismith on target after Darren Fletcher had missed from the spot.

Levein names Scotland squad

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:37:00 GMT

Scotland manager Craig Levein has revealed his 25-man squad for next month's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Lithuania.

Danish duo progress

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 22:51:00 GMT

Danish sides Odense and FC Copenhagen saw off Panathinaikos and Shamrock Rovers respectively in their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round matches, booking their place in the play-off round.

Atletico dealt Norwegian Europa trip

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Atletico Madrid will face Norwegian side Stromsgodset, who last appeared in the UEFA Cup 13 years ago, while Stoke City have been been paired against Hadjuk Split in the UEFA Europa League.

Benfica to face Trabz after UEFA draw

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:33:00 GMT

The draw for the UEFA Champions League has taken place, with a number of exciting ties being thrown up, including Benfica taking on Trabzonspor and Rubin Kazan facing national neighbours Dynamo Kiev.

Udinese: Zapata joining Villarreal

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:56:00 GMT

Cristian Zapata will be joining Villarreal, according to club Udinese, with the Serie A side saying the Colombian will be moving to La Liga for an undisclosed fee.

Stankevicius moves to Lazio

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:51:00 GMT

Lazio have agreed the signing of Sampdoria's Lithuanian defender Marius Stankevicius for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Germany march as French weep

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 22:21:00 GMT

Germany continued to stroll in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying with a 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna, while Eric Abidal’s own goal saw France muster only a draw with Belarus on the road in Minsk.

Duo earn Liechtenstein first points

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:52:00 GMT

Philippe Erne and Michele Polverino each scored first-half goals to send Liechtenstein 2-0 past Lithuania in their UEFA EURO 2012 Group I qualifying match.

Mixed ambitions for Liechtenstein, Lithuania

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:30:00 GMT

The only Group I fixture of the weekend sees Liechtenstein host Lithuania tomorrow night, with the home side looking for their first point and the visitors aiming for a second-placed finish.

Who’ve been the stars of 2010/11?

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com wants to know which players have impressed you the most during the 2010/11 season across Europe.

Del Bosque: We overcame pitch adversity

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:24:00 GMT

Vicente del Bosque was pleased that Spain managed to beat Lithuania in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier last night despite playing on a poor pitch described by Andres Iniesta as "impracticable".

Late Spanish goals down Lithuania

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:19:00 GMT

Spain needed an own goal and a Juan Manuel Mata strike late in the game to ensure a 3-1 victory at Lithuania in their UEFA EURO 2012 Group I qualifier, and now lead the group by six points again.

Villa not taking Lithuania lightly

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:33:00 GMT

Spain new all-time top scorer striker David Villa is expecting a tough test from Lithuania tomorrow night for the second time in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying.

Iniesta defends misfiring Torres

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:56:00 GMT

Andres Iniesta has spoken out in favour of out-of-sorts Spain team-mate Fernando Torres, who has been the subject of criticism after having hit a goal drought for club and country.

Nani hoping to star, Scots face Seleção

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:26:00 GMT

This week's friendlies see Nani hoping he can fill the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal as they face Chile without their talisman, Lionel Messi looking to dazzle the USA for Argentina and Scotland facing a tough test against Brazil.

A stress test for Spain

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:31:00 GMT

After stumbling in recent friendlies, Spain will be hoping for a return to form in thier UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers weekend, but coach Vicente del Bosque told FIFA.com they intend to learn from their latest blip.

Villa: Wins will put one foot in the finals

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:02:00 GMT

David Villa feels Spain will be one step away from the UEFA EURO 2012 finals should they gain six points from their upcoming qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Lithuania coming up this week.