FIFA.com - News

Asian women begin bid for Canada

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:11:00 GMT

The journey towards the newly enlarged 24-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup™ begins this week for Asia’s aspirants with the continent set to field a record number of contenders.

Palestine in line for FIFA development boost

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:57:00 GMT

Football development in Palestine is set to take the spotlight with the upcoming inauguration of four Goal projects, incorporating an overall FIFA investment of approximately USD $4,500,000.

Asians soar as Colombia go outright sixth

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:01:00 GMT

Afghanistan rocketed 48 places into their highest-ever position on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as India and Sri Lanka also made significant progress, while Colombia broke clear of Portugal.

Zaatara forging success from adversity

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:13:00 GMT

FIFA.com charts the interesting and varied career of Sweden-born Palestine midfielder Imad Zaarata, with him offering unique insight the secret of his success and the progress Palestinian football is making.

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.

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.

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.

Attal: Palestinian football has evolved

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:41:00 GMT

Fahed Attal, Palestine's all-time leading scorer, speaks to FIFA.com about his own career, his nation's footballing future and the general development of the beautiful game.

A month of FIFA development: October 2012

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:21:00 GMT

FIFA.com brings you our monthly round-up of the most recent development projects and events during October.

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.

Women's round-up: October 2012

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:46:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the past month in the women’s game including a match-up between big guns USA and Germany, drama in UEFA Women’s EURO qualifying, changes among some of the world’s top coaches, plus the latest club news.

FIFA joins in Palestinian commemorations

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:59:00 GMT

FIFA has played a crucial role in the development of football in Palestine. A FIFA delegation recently visited the country to celebrate the three-year anniversary of the first women’s international played on home soil.

Planting roots in Palestine

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:51:00 GMT

Palestine hosted not one but four FIFA Grassroots courses in April, as a team of FIFA instructors took the programme around the region to build on the game’s popularity.

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.

Alleged illegal detainment of Palestine football players

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:31:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has expressed grave concern and worry about the alleged illegal detention of Palestine football players in a letter to the Israel Football Association.

Palestinian champions revel in success

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:59:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks to the players and coach of Hilal Al-Quds about the Jerusalem outfit's impressive title-winning campaign in the Palestine West Bank League Division A.

Hard-won redemption for Korea DPR

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:28:00 GMT

Korea DPR put aside their early exit from Brazil 2014 qualifying to claim the AFC Challenge Cup. FIFA.com reviews the action from Asia’s second-tier tournament that was also marked by the emergence of Palestine and Philippines.

FIFA President touched by Nepal welcome

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:06:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter enjoyed a packed visit to Nepal, where he met with the country's President and Prime Minister, inaugurated the AFC Challenge Cup and pledged his support to the growth of the game in the country.

Palestine: launch of the third edition of the FIFA/CIES Programme

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:06:00 GMT

L’Université de Birzeit, partenaire du CIES depuis 2009, lance la troisième édition du Programme de management du sport FIFA/CIES. Le délai d’inscription est fixé au 20 janvier 2012.

Eight projects to compete for the FIFA/CIES International University Network Award

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:44:00 GMT

Following the success of the inaugural FIFA/CIES International University Network Award last year, CIES has received eight projects for the second year of this competition.

Women's roundup: October 2011

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up all the action in the world of women's football from the month of October, with special attention paid to a power shift in Africa and a return to form for Canada's national team.

Ibrahim: My life has changed

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 04:45:00 GMT

It has been more than a year since the Football For Hope Festival took place, and FIFA.com caught up with Rashida Ibrahim, a young woman who participated in the event, to share in her memories of those days at South Africa 2010.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:27:00 GMT

Singapore celebrated, while China PR were among the biggest winners as the final places in Asia's third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers were decided. FIFA.com rounds up the action.

Asian hopefuls in do or die deciders

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Asia's second round of qualifiers reaching a climax today, with no fewer than 30 sides battling it out on the road to 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. You can follow the action live on FIFA.com.

Asian favourites draw first blood

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in Asia, which saw the traditional favourites take an advantage over their underdog opponents.

Thirty hopefuls begin road to round three

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 06:55:00 GMT

Some intriguing second round, first legs are in store, with Kuwait-Philippines, Qatar-Vietnam, Singapore-Malaysia and United Arab Emirates-India catching the eye.

Asian media laud progression

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:03:00 GMT

Now that the Asian preliminary qualifying round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil has been completed, FIFA.com takes a look at the reaction in the media to the results so far.

A historic day for Palestinian football

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:31:00 GMT

Palestinian football took major step in its development as a footballing nation, after it hosted its first ever FIFA World Cup™ qualifier, where they drew 1-1 with Afghanistan.

Favourites progress as stars shine

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 22:27:00 GMT

The first round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil has been completed, seeing a barrel-load of goals scored around Asia, with the likes of big-guns Vietnam being joined by first-time qualifiers Philippines.

Stern tests for Asian hopefuls

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:33:00 GMT

The chance to mix with Asia's big guns is up for grabs this weekend, with 16 of the continent's minnows battling it out in the second legs of the preliminary qualifying round.

Preliminary journey kicks off in Asia

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:03:00 GMT

The first round of qualifying for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ kicked off in Asia on Wednesday, with Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh convincing in their respective openers. FIFA.com reviews all the action.

Sixteen hopefuls embark on Brazil path

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:29:00 GMT

Asia's lowest-ranked teams are set to begin continental qualifying for the 2014 tournament, with Sri Lanka-Philippines, Bangladesh-Pakistan and Malaysia-Chinese Taipei among the most appetising matches on the menu.

Favourites prevail in Asian qualifiers

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:16:00 GMT

Australia were among the AFC heavyweights who coasted through to the final round of qualifiers for London 2012, while the likes of Oman and Malaysia sprung major surprises.

FIFA President in Palestine to boost football development

Sun, 15 May 2011 17:53:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter today opened two football development projects in Palestine, laying the corner stone of the federation’s fourth FIFA Goal project.

FIFA President to visit Serbia, Palestine, Israel

Thu, 12 May 2011 17:19:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will undertake a busy three-day visit to Serbia, Palestine and Israel from 14-16 May.

Thuram opens West Bank stadium

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:49:00 GMT

Former France star Lilian Thuram completed a four-day visit to the West Bank by taking the kick-off in the Palestinian cup final to inaugurate a brand new international stadium in the area.

Brazil 2014 draw stirs Asian hopefuls

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 09:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the Asian qualifying draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ which has thrown up a host of intriguing match-ups as some of the continents smaller footballing nations seek a share of the spotlight.

Asia's Brazil 2014 draw made

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:00 GMT

The AFC has conducted the draw for Asia’s first and second round qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

Five maintain London dream

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:40:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament London 2012 continued with Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Thailand all winning through to the second stage.

Gaining acceptance in new frontiers

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 07:50:00 GMT

Although the FIFA Women's World Cup™ has yet to include a team from the Middle East, cultural barriers continue to be broken in the development of women's football within the Arab world.

Asian Zone to play preliminary round for Brazil 2014

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:38:00 GMT

The members of the Asian Football Confederation are gearing up to begin the race for FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil, with the draw for qualification set to take place on 30 March in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Palestine lose historic home qualifier

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:47:00 GMT

The Palestinian national team lost on penalties to Thailand in a 2012 Olympic qualifier, their first-ever international qualifier played at home at the Faisal Husseini stadium.

Women’s round-up: February 2011

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:53:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up the month that was in women's football, with a focus on the Roar's glory year Down Under, development in Palestine and the huge buzz surrounding the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup™ in Germany.

Asian hopefuls commence journey

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Asia’s exhaustive qualifying campaign for the 2012 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament will kick off this week with just three of the 35 hopefuls guaranteed a place in London.

Palestinians prepare for historic home match

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:59:00 GMT

Palestine are set to play their first ever match on home soil, as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympics against Thailand in the Asian qualifying group.

Palestine takes another historic step

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The launch of the Women's Football League in Palestine was a huge success, with over 11,000 witnessing an opening match that gave optimism for a bright future.

First students receive diplomas in Palestine

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:22:00 GMT

The first graduates of the FIFA/CIES sports management programme were awarded their diploma during a ceremony held last week at the Law Faculty of Birzeit University in Ramallah, Palestine.

Bezaz: Things slowly falling into place

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:54:00 GMT

As he looks to shape the entire structure of the Palestinian national team, Moussa Bezaz tells FIFA.com about the vision he has for Palestinian football and the tough task he has had in his 18 months as coach.