FIFA.com - News

Azteca misery for Mexico as USA soar

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:54:00 GMT

USA raced clear at the top of the CONCACAF Brazil 2014 qualifying after a comprehensive win over Panama on Tuesday, while Mexico’s miserable and inexplicable home form continued.

Lucky seven for leading Hexagonal trio

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 06:00:00 GMT

USA and Costa Rica both won on Friday night to join Mexico – who could only draw in Panama – in a three-way tangle on seven points at the top of the CONCACAF qualifying group.

No summer holiday for Hexagonal hopefuls

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:30:00 GMT

June is a busy time in CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014 with all six remaining teams playing three crucial games apiece. FIFA.com takes a closer look at Friday’s first matchday.

Culture shock kick-starts Gamboa's career

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:13:00 GMT

After leaving his homeland of Costa Rica back in 2010, Christian Gamboa found Norway a shock to the system, but now settled in Europe, the Rosenborg midfielder believes he can help Los Ticos to Brazil 2014.

Tejada: Panama need work, work & more work

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:32:00 GMT

Panama’s powerhouse forward Luis Tejada speaks to FIFA.com about life at Toluca, if playing in Mexico will be an advantage when he comes up against El Tri, and Los Canaleros' bid to reach Brazil 2014.

Stalemate for Mexican powers Monterrey, Santos

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:18:00 GMT

Ten-man Monterrey managed to draw Santos Laguna 0-0 on the road in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final, inching Los Rayados closer to a third straight trip to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Familiar Mexico foes meet again

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:49:00 GMT

Two-time defending champions Monterrey and Santos Laguna meet in a replay of last year's CONCACAF Champions League final this week, with a place in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco on the line.

Mexico juniors continue to dominate

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 08:44:00 GMT

Defending world champions Mexico sparkled in winning the CONCACAF U-17 qualifying tournament to book their place at UAE 2013, where they will be joined by Panama, Honduras and Canada.

Blatter: Panama is on the right track

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:27:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has been speaking about the development of football in Panama, which formed the last stop on his tour of Central America and the Caribbean.

Panama and Canada book places

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:01:00 GMT

Canada and Panama both won their CONCACAF U-17 Tournament quarter-finals 4-2, against Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively, to book their places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013.

Development tops agenda of Blatter’s CONCACAF trip

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 08:46:00 GMT

Football development will top the agenda when FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter visits Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and Panama as part of a six-day tour over the coming week.

Croatia and Ecuador on the up

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT

The April edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking sees movement within the top ten, as Ecuador enter for the first time and Croatia climb to their highest position since 1998.

Déjà vu for finalists Monterrey and Santos

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:46:00 GMT

The CONCACAF Champions League final series will once again be an all-Mexican affair between Santos Laguna and Monterrey, a re-match of last year's decider.

Mexico lead U-17 pack in Panama

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:20:00 GMT

The top 12 junior sides in North, Central America and the Caribbean, led by defending U-17 world champions Mexico, gather in Panama this weekend with the aim of reaching UAE 2013.

Panama, Costa Rica win as USA survive Azteca

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:07:00 GMT

Panama beat Honduras to take a surprise lead at the top of the CONCACAF Hexagonal, while USA picked up a historic point against ailing arch-rivals Mexico at the Azteca and Costa Rica found their form at home.

All eyes on CONCACAF’s clasico

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:12:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews all the action as Mexico host arch-rivals USA on Tuesday at the Azteca in the main event of CONCACAF’s Hexagonal Matchday 3, when unbeaten Honduras, Jamaica and Panama try to keep up their form.

Mexico meltdown as USA remain cool

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:02:00 GMT

Matchday two of CONCACAF's Hexagonal qualifying for Brazil 2014 proved to be typically tight as USA edged Costa Rica in the snow, while Mexico wilted in the Honduran heat and Jamaica frittered away a lead to draw with Panama.

USA complete five years at the summit

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:06:00 GMT

USA still lead the way ahead of Germany and Japan, with Brazil, France and Sweden following closely behind, in a women's ranking with only a few changes.

Take two for New World giants

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:49:00 GMT

With only a point to share between them, CONCACAF giants USA and Mexico get back to qualifying action this week, with the pressure on to find their feet. FIFA.com takes a closer look at Matchday 2 of the Hexagonal stage.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 09:27:00 GMT

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

Sanchez still confident in Panama’s chances

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:42:00 GMT

Panama midfielder Marcos Sanchez, a recent acquisition for MLS side DC United, talks to FIFA.com about his country's chances of fulfilling his ultimate dream, which is booking a place at Brazil 2014.

Mexico dominate New World four

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:12:00 GMT

Mexico were crowned CONCACAF youth champions for the 12th time on Sunday, and will be joined at Turkey 2013 by runners-up USA and new boys El Salvador and Cuba.

Tejada strike downs Atlante

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:59:00 GMT

Luis Tejada scored the only goal of the game as Toluca claimed a 1-0 win at Atlante, while Unam Pumas and Guadalajara played out a 1-1 draw.

El Salvador, Mexico complete quartet

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:56:00 GMT

El Salvador have joined Cuba in reaching the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time with historic qualification at the expense of Panama, while Mexico also booked their ticket to Turkey 2013 with a one-sided win over Jamaica.

Jamaican joy as USA, Mexico suffer

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:42:00 GMT

USA lost on the road in Honduras, while Mexico were held at the Azteca by plucky Jamaica. FIFA.com wraps up all the action as the Hexagonal is up and running.

Sextet prepare for Hexagonal battle

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:12:00 GMT

Mexico, USA, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras are all in action on Wednesday as CONCACAF’s notorious final ‘Hexagonal’ qualifying round kicks off.

Perez: The time is now for Panama

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:53:00 GMT

Panama international striker Blas Perez speaks to FIFA.com about his career with the national side, the current state of the squad and his hopes for the remainder of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

Costa Rica crowned again, Belize make history

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:26:00 GMT

Costa Rica became Copa Centroamericana champions for the first time since 2007 but the fairy tale of the tournament was underdogs Belize, who booked their first ever trip to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

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.

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.

Spain cruise through Panama

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:07:00 GMT

World and European champions Spain secured a comfortable 5-1 win over Panama in Panama City on the back of a double from Pedro.

Mata not looking past Panama

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:49:00 GMT

Recalled Spain midfielder Juan Mata is not expecting an easy night against Panama tomorrow as the world champions look to sign off another memorable year unbeaten.

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.

Knockout casualties out but not down

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com gathers reaction from the eight teams who bowed out from the round of 16 at Thailand 2012, with all but a couple able to look on the bright side.

Favourites march on

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:41:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the concluding day of last 16 action at Thailand 2012, where the favourites went through to complete a purely European and South American quarter-final line-up.

Brazil blast sixteen past Panama

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:11:00 GMT

Brazil maintained their 100 per cent record and breezed into the last eight of the FIFA Futsal World Cup with a one-sided 16-0 victory against Panama.

Global spotlight falls on friendlies

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:30:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the latest batch of international friendlies, with highlights including a meeting between Italy and France as well as a renewal of the Netherlands-Germany rivalry.

Favourites, debutants eye last eight

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the second day of last-16 action at Thailand 2012, with holders Brazil chasing a quarter-final slot along with some of the tournament's surprise packages,

Mentality key to newcomers’ success

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from the Colombia, Panama and Serbia camps on the secret to their success in qualifying for the last 16 in this, their debut FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Susaeta selected for Spain

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 14:50:00 GMT

Vicente del Bosque has given Athletic Bilbao midfielder Markel Susaeta his first call-up to the Spain squad, ahead of their friendly with Panama next week.

Powerhouses prevail, Panama scrape through

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com rounds up the action from a day that witnessed four of the FIFA Futsal World Cup's big guns march on to the last with wins under their belts, and Panama sneak through despite losing to Iran.

Iran, Panama progress after close encounter

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:44:00 GMT

Both Iran and Panama progressed from Group B following a tight, yet thrilling encounter at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which saw the west Asians run out 4-3 winners.

Hexagonal fixtures confirmed in CONCACAF

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 03:23:00 GMT

The fixtures for final six-team (Hexagonal) round of Brazil 2014 qualifying in CONCACAF are now known, with USA opening against Honduras on the road and Mexico hosting Jamaica.

Down to the wire on day eight

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 03:24:00 GMT

Only Italy are assured of their place in the last 16 from Groups B and D, leaving Argentina, Australia, Iran, Panama and Spain to battle it out for the remaining places.

Hassanzadeh: Top-three finish is Iran's aim

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 02:40:00 GMT

Following his nation’s recent victory over Morocco, Ali Hassanzadeh spoke to FIFA.com about the keys to Iranian success at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.

Italy advance as groups take shape

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:55:00 GMT

Italy's 3-2 win over Argentina secured Gli Azzurri a place in the last 16 on a day that also witnessed Australia, Iran and Spain boost their chances of making it through.

On-song Spain ease past Panama

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Spain have moved top of Group B and edged closer to the last 16 with a thumping 8-3 win over Panama at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

Leaders clash, slow starters play catch-up

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 03:33:00 GMT

The top-of-the-table clash between Italy and Argentina headlines day five at Thailand 2012, while Australia, Mexico and Panama will be looking to put some points on the board.

Alvarado, Panama’s rebel with a cause

Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:32:00 GMT

Panama star Alquis Alvarado speaks to FIFA.com about Los Canaleros' amazing comeback against Morocco, and his constant struggle to make ends meet for his family.

Comebacks, goals galore thrill Thailand

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:17:00 GMT

Stirring fightbacks from Panama and Iran illuminated a dramatic, and prolific, day of action on which Argentina and Italy underlined their FIFA Futsal World Cup title credentials.