FIFA.com - News

Development boost for the women’s game in Oceania

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:33:00 GMT

Each of Oceania’s Member Associations were in attendance this week for the FIFA/OFC Women’s Football Development Seminar with collaborative growth of the game in the region a key focus.

Kiwis remain perfect in Oceania

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:56:00 GMT

New Zealand are set to continue a growing affinity with the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE later this year after winning the qualifying tournament last week. FIFA.com reviews the six-nation Oceania championship in Vanuatu.

Champs Auckland stay alive, final four confirmed

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:50:00 GMT

Reigning champions Auckland City showed resilience to keep their OFC Champions League ambitions alive with a tense 1-1 draw at AS Dragon while Waitakere United, Ba and Amicale are also into next weekend’s semi-finals.

Oceania sextet take aim at world stage

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:22:00 GMT

Oceania’s representatives for UAE 2013 will be determined over the coming week in Vanuatu, with reigning champions New Zealand facing the challenge of five Pacific nations.

Perfect Kiwis dominate Oceania

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:24:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the action from the Oceania qualifying tournament for Turkey 2013 with New Zealand prevailing despite some spirited competition, notably from host nation Fiji.

New route opens up for Oceania aspirants

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 05:49:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the upcoming OFC Champions League season which boasts a new format as eight clubs, led by reigning champions Auckland City, bid for Oceanian club supremacy.

Drama and emotion on Oceania’s World Cup path

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:51:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look back at what has been a typically fascinating odyssey for Oceania’s Brazil 2014 aspirants, with Tahiti and American Samoa enjoying breakthrough success, while New Zealand eventually secured top spot.

Late drama secures Kiwis' play-off berth

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:52:00 GMT

Tommy Smith is the toast of New Zealand after his dramatic 94th-minute goal sent the All Whites through to a play-off for a place at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

New-look Kiwis eye play-off

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:34:00 GMT

New Zealand open today’s massive global schedule of Brazil 2014 qualifying with a vital home encounter against New Caledonia as the All Whites enter a new era with Winston Reid appointed captain following Ryan Nelsen’s retirement.

All on the line in the Pacific

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:28:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the conclusion to Brazil 2014 qualifying in Oceania headlined by Friday's potentially pivotal meeting between New Zealand and New Caledonia.

Oceania hopefuls eye Turkish odyssey

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 05:35:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the upcoming OFC U-20 Championship as five contenders vie for the right to represent Oceania among the globe’s elite young players at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

New look OFC Champions League draw unveiled

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:56:00 GMT

The draw for the revamped OFC Champions League has been announced with eight clubs set to compete for a berth in May's final.

New look for Oceania’s elite club competition

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 08:28:00 GMT

The revamped format for the 2013 OFC Champions League has been confirmed with the tournament, previously known as the O-League, undergoing a change of format for the 2013 edition.

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.

New Caledonia goal spree dents Solomons’ hopes

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 07:43:00 GMT

A remarkable four-goal burst in the dying stages of the match has given New Caledonia a crucial 6-2 win against Solomon Islands in Honiara, severely denting the home team’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ ambitions.

Gope-Fenepej puts Kanaks on the attack

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 09:59:00 GMT

Georges Gope-Fenepej traded the island paradise of New Caledonia for a chance in France's Ligue 1 with new boys Troyes, and FIFA.com talks to him about club and country concerns.

Consistent New Caledonia add to Oceania depth

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:04:00 GMT

In a short period as a FIFA member, New Caledonia have proven themselves to be among Oceania's toughest competitors and the French-speaking nation will enter their upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifiers with cause for optimism.

Oceania's final round drawn

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:05:00 GMT

The third and final round of Oceania Zone qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ has been drawn in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday 26 June.

Tahiti lead Pacific charge

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:29:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a highly successful OFC Nations Cup which saw unprecedented glory for Tahiti, breakthrough success by New Caledonia and a succession of tight matches played out in front of large crowds.

Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 08:24:00 GMT

Tahiti will feature at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 after becoming the first Pacific Island nation to be crowned Oceania champions thanks to a gripping 1-0 win over French-speaking rivals New Caledonia.

Chance of glory for Oceanian outsiders

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 11:03:00 GMT

The eyes of football lovers in Oceania will be on the Lawson Tama Stadium on Sunday as New Caledonia and Tahiti battle it out for continental supremacy and a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.

NZ, Solomons stunned by Francophone duo

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:11:00 GMT

New Caledonia and Tahiti will meet in the OFC Nations Cup final after the pair sensationally saw off New Zealand and Solomon Islands, with historic passage to the FIFA Confederations Cup the prize for Sunday's victor.

Tahiti, New Caledonia stroll into semis

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 08:43:00 GMT

New Caledonia and Tahiti have joined New Zealand in qualifying for the OFC Nations Cup semi-finals with comfortable wins over Samoa and Vanuatu respectively.

Tahiti win group's key game

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 08:26:00 GMT

After surviving a brave fightback from nine-man New Caledonia in the Pacific's Francophone derby, Tahiti have made themselves favourites to qualify as Group A winners.

Goals rain down on opening day

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:58:00 GMT

The opening day of Round Two Brazil 2014 qualifying in Oceania saw the hopes of Tahiti and New Caledonia receive a massive boost amid a flurry of goals in Honiara.

All in readiness for Oceania charge

Wed, 30 May 2012 22:29:00 GMT

After a long wait, FIFA World Cup™ qualifying returns to the Pacific with the football obsessed Solomon Islands set to host the eight-nation tournament commencing on Friday.

Auckland continue to reign in Oceania

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:49:00 GMT

Auckland City will once again feature at the FIFA Club World Cup but the Oceania heavyweights were forced to do it the hard way in a gruelling OFC O-League campaign, as FIFA.com reports.

Renowned kings crowned in Iran, Oceania

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of club action in Asia and Oceania is highlighted by more glory for Iran’s Sepahan and New Zealand’s Auckland City, while there is also a look at the latest from Japan, Korea Republic and elsewhere.

Kiwis impress en route to Oceania crown

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:12:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Oceania qualifying tournament for Japan 2012 as New Zealand again impressed in retaining their status as continental queens.

New Zealand youngsters cruise through Pacific

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Oceania qualifying tournament for Azerbaijan 2012 where New Zealand confirmed their status as continental elite with a comfortable victory in the four-nation event.

Kiwis top Oceania to reach world finals

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:57:00 GMT

New Zealand cruised past the opposition in Oceania, defeating Papua New Guinea on the final day of qualifying for Azerbaijan 2012 to confirm their third appearance at the global finals since its inaugural edition in 2008.

Kiwis seek another Oceanian coronation

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:31:00 GMT

New Zealand will this week be eyeing a fourth successive qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as they seek to maintain the nation's recent growth by securing a berth at Japan 2012.

Oceania youngsters dream of global stage

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 09:25:00 GMT

A single Oceania ticket will be up for grabs this week in Auckland as Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, hosts of the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup four years ago, vie for passage to Azerbaijan 2012.

Lorient snap up Lautoa

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Wesley Lautoa has been brought in by Lorient on a four-and-a-half year deal from Sedan, with the New Caledonian international hoping to move his career forward with the switch.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:31:00 GMT

Featuring Cristiano Ronaldo on looking good, Mario Basler on which footballer he'd chose to watch over a supermodel, Pep Guardiola on who he'd like to be reincarnated as and Miroslav Klose on having his feet kissed.

Ancelotti confirmed as PSG coach

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:22:00 GMT

Ambitious Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain have announced that Antoine Kombouare has vacated their hot-seat and been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.

Mont Dore crowned again

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:00:00 GMT

Reigning champions AS Mont Dore have claimed their fourth title with the Noumea-based club securing the championship with a match to spare.

A star returns to school, Russia win again

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:49:00 GMT

After the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011, the development of the game has moved at incredible pace and over the last two months Russia claimed yet another crown, while an El Salvador star has hit the books.

FIFA’s Performance Seminar a success

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:06:00 GMT

Oceania Football Confederation’s 11 Member Associations will be the beneficiaries as FIFA’s new development programme, known as PERFORMANCE, is rolled out aiming to help national governing bodies reach their maximum potential.

Ambitious Oceania elite eye glory

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:40:00 GMT

The road to continental glory in Oceania will commence this weekend as eight clubs take to the field for the newest edition of the OFC O-League. FIFA.com previews the forthcoming campaign in the Pacific.

Tight margins among Pacific elite

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:39:00 GMT

New Caledonia emerged triumphant on home soil at this year’s Pacific Games as a number of teams continued their preparations for Brazil 2014 qualifying.

Pitch perfect in Oceania

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:51:00 GMT

OFC’s Member Association’s were the beneficiaries as FIFA conducted its first ever FIFA Playing Surface Seminar last week in Auckland.

High-flying Kiwis face tough task

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 22:05:00 GMT

The draw provided New Zealand with an intriguing challenge against Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, while Group A features Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tahiti and the Round One winner.

Oceania goalkeeper stocks receive a boost

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:42:00 GMT

Auckland was the location this week as Oceania Football Confederation members were the recipients of the new FIFA Goalkeeping Course.

Nelsen, Riley earn OFC awards

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:39:00 GMT

The Oceania Football Confederation have named New Zealand duo Ryan Nelsen and Ali Riley as their players of 2010.

Oceania aspirants seek world stage

Mon, 16 May 2011 01:00:00 GMT

The Oceania qualifiers for the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup will take place in Fiji this week with the victor to become the first nation to secure passage to Thailand.

PSG extend Kombouare deal

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:19:00 GMT

Antoine Kombouare, who guided Paris Saint-Germain to Coupe de France glory last season, has had his contract extended by the club until 2013.

Kiwis rule Oceania, reach Colombia

Mon, 02 May 2011 10:41:00 GMT

New Zealand qualified for just their second FIFA U-20 World Cup in impressive fashion, dominating the Oceania qualifiers with dynamic attacking play and a resolute defence.

Tahiti, an island of possibilities

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:01:00 GMT

Tahiti is increasingly showcasing its ability to compete at international level and in April's FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking the small Pacific island climbed nine places into 175th for Oceania's best showing.

Intrigue awaits Oceania’s young elite

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:18:00 GMT

Hosts New Zealand will undoubtedly start as favourites to rule the region and qualify for this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup, but Tahiti's surprise triumph three years ago proves nothing can be accepted as a foregone conclusion.