FIFA.com - News

Women’s round-up: April 2013

Wed, 01 May 2013 07:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com runs the rule over an action-packed month of women's football, which witnessed the qualifying campaign for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015™ gather pace and the dawn of a new era in the USA.

Qualifying route laid out in Europe

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:01:00 GMT

Local rivalries and heaveight clashes were thrown up in today's draw for the qualifying group stage in Europe, with England-Ukraine, Spain-Italy and Sweden-Scotland just a few of the duels in prospect.

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.

Buffon frustrated despite victory

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:19:00 GMT

Gianluigi Buffon was far from happy after Italy's FIFA World Cup™ Group B qualifier match with Malta, despite a 2-0 win, but the veteran goalkeeper was happy to see Mario Balotelli becoming a consistent player.

Balotelli brace sees off Malta

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:02:00 GMT

Mario Balotelli continued his hot streak in front of goal with a brace to fire Italy to victory over Malta in their FIFA World Cup qualifying match. The AC Milan forward now has ten goals in nine appearances for club and country.

Crunch time for former champions

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:03:00 GMT

Spain's trip to France is among the eye-catching fixtures in Tuesday's European Zone FIFA World Cup qualifiers. FIFA.com previews the action.

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.

Ankle injury sidelines Chiellini

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:43:00 GMT

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini will sit out the friendly against Brazil with an ankle injury that could also keep him out of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malta.

Great growth in Malta

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:38:00 GMT

FIFA.com focuses on the efforts currently being made by the Malta Football Association who are going to great lengths to grow the women's game on their islands.

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.

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.

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.

Czechs secure first win

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:12:00 GMT

The Czech Republic overcame dogged resistance by Malta to secure the first win of their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in their Group B clash in Plzen.

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.

Scorers, streaks and strolls

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 07:59:00 GMT

This week, the ending of one streak in Germany and the prolonging of another in England feature alongside prolific goalscoring from Michael Mifsud, Cristiano Ronaldo and three Asian sides at Azerbaijan.

Prandelli: We weren't at our best

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:13:00 GMT

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli admitted his side were far from their best as they laboured to a FIFA World Cup qualifying win over minnows Malta.

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.

Italy make hard work of Malta

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:48:00 GMT

Goals at the beginning and end of the game, from Mattia Destro and Federico Peluso, gave Italy a 2-0 victory at home to Malta but they were tested throughout the encounter.

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.

Armenia down Malta in opener

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:17:00 GMT

Substitute Artur Sarkisov's 70th-minute strike ensured Armenia began their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign in a positive manner with a 1-0 victory over Malta.

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.

Prandelli calls up Insigne, Pazzini

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has called upon the striking talents of uncapped Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne and AC Milan new-boy Giampaolo Pazzini for their upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

Malta beat San Marino, win for Liechtenstein

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:21:00 GMT

Malta claimed their third win in succession as they saw a Michael Mifsud brace lead them to a 3-2 win over San Marino, while Liechtenstein saw off Andorra 1-0.

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.

African aces stalking European stage

Fri, 25 May 2012 06:06:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at some of the many African strikers who have made their goalscoring mark in Europe during the recently completed season.

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.

The flawless, troubled and triumphant

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:01:00 GMT

With 240 matches played among nine qualifying groups, FIFA.com reviews the most memorable moments from the 13-month-long qualifying campaign for next summer's UEFA EURO 2012.

Greece make late call-ups for Georgia

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:43:00 GMT

Greece have had to bring an two emergency call-ups ahead of their final, and crucial, UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier, requiring a draw against Georgia to make it through as Group B winners.

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.

Latvia salvage pride with Malta win

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 20:02:00 GMT

Aleksejs Visnjakovs' first-half strike and Artjoms Rudnevs' late goal earned Latvia a 2-0 win over Malta in their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier at the Skonto Stadions in Riga.

Countdown to FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:53:00 GMT

Various beach soccer events and tournaments have been taking place over the past few months as the build-up to September's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna/Italy 2011 gathers pace.

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.

Key victories see groups tighten

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Saturday's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying matches, which featured a poor result for England, victory and a landmark for Republic of Ireland, and results which have tightened the top of many groups.

Croatia, Israel aiming for summit

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Croatia can take a temporary lead in Group F if they beat Georgia tomorrow, although current leaders Greece face Malta on Saturday, while Israel can remain in contention with victory over Latvia.

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.

Malta make ground from Swiss denial

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:41:00 GMT

An unexpected draw with Switzerland has helped Malta, who have made impressive progress since John Buttigieg’s 2009 appointment, climb seven places to 156th on the latest global ladder.

Croatia confident, Greece poised

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:58:00 GMT

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has bullish in his assertion that his side can be victorious away at Georgia, but should they slip-up Greece can overtake them at the top of Group F with a win in Malta.

Messi sinks Brazil, Spain slump in Lisbon

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:14:00 GMT

Argentina hit the headlines in Wednesday’s international action by beating Brazil for the first time in five years, world champions Spain came unstuck in spectacular fashion against Portugal while England lost to a rejuvenated France.

Croatia make short work of Malta

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 18:53:00 GMT

Two goals from Niko Kranjcar and another from substitute Nikola Kalinic saw Croatia to a 3-0 victory over Malta, moving the hosts to the top of Group F in UEFA EURO 2012 qualification.

Croatia claim Futsal trophy

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:00:00 GMT

With a penalty shoot-out win over hosts Libya, Croatia emerged victorious from the first edition of the Mediterranean Futsal Cup, which saw 16 teams from the regio take part.

Georgia leave it late against Malta

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:55:00 GMT

Georgia won their first competitive home match for three years but needed a goal in injury time to beat Malta, taking them to five points from three games in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying.

Latvia ease past Malta

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:01:00 GMT

Latvia bounced back from defeat in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Croatia on Friday with a 2-0 win over Malta tonight.

Benayoun at the treble

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:13:00 GMT

Yossi Benayoun struck a hat-trick as Israel bgan their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Malta.

European Leagues preview

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:45:00 GMT

Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Inter will all be aiming to consolidate their respective positions, while Marseille's trip to Bordeaux promises much.

Contenders try to tame leaders in 15

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:59:00 GMT

With the holiday break quickly approaching league leaders in France, Australia and Scotland must fend off a clutch of contenders in Round 15.

yeremis’s double strike

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:52:00 GMT

Round 14 winner yeremis snatched a signed FIFA World Cup winner's jersey this weekend along with second-place on the overall leaderboard.