FIFA.com - News

Shocks, celebrations and struggles for supremacy

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:10:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest stats review looks over titles won in France, Costa Rica, Romania and South Africa, Goran Pandev’s run of success in the Coppa Italia, plus a host of figures to emerge from last week’s UEFA Champions League final.

A family of footballers

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:52:00 GMT

Club member 'cornel-ROU' talks to us about his football playing family and his favourite football memory.

Romania return to top 50

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:47:00 GMT

With Victor Piturca back at the reins, Romania have risen eight places to 45 on the global ladder, enhancing hope they can return to the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

Uruguay reach all-time high, Asian trio soar

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:03:00 GMT

Uruguay jumped to a personal best of third on the latest edition of the FIFA Ranking as the Netherlands fell out of the top three, while Denmark, Korea DPR, Turkmenistan and the Philippines made progress.

The European Cup's exceptional upsets

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:48:00 GMT

If APOEL Nicosia are to make the UEFA Champions League semi-finals they will have to pull a huge upset to see off Real Madrid. FIFA.com looks back across the tournament's six decades for some inspiration from underdogs.

United avoid disaster, Spanish sides cruise

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:52:00 GMT

Manchester United narrowly progressed to the UEFA Europa League last 16 with a 3-2 aggregate win over Ajax, while three La Liga sides in Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid also booked their place.

United cruise as City, Atletico fight back

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:03:00 GMT

It was a day of triumph for Manchester clubs in the UEFA Europa League as United beat Ajax and City recovered to win at Porto, while Spanish sides Atletico Madrid and Valencia defeated Lazio and Stoke City respectively.

Qualifying countdown to Thailand kicks off

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:57:00 GMT

Fourteen of UEFA's top Futsal sides today found out who they will face to make it through to FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, with Norway making it to this stage in proceedings for the first time.

Pantilimon: City confidence still up

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon has insisted Manchester City’s FA Cup elimination by Manchester United hasn’t knocked their confidence, and discussed his own battle against Joe Hart for playing time.

Manchester duo handed tricky tasks

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:32:00 GMT

The draw for the last 32 and the final 16 of the UEFA Europa League was made today, with Manchester City and Manchester United handed difficult ties against FC Porto and Ajax respectively.

Spurs suffer as group stage concludes

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:13:00 GMT

Birmingham City, Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out, while there was joy for qualified AZ Alkmaar, Club Brugge and Rubin Kazan, as the UEFA Europa League group stage concluded.

PSV progress past Bucuresti unscathed

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:42:00 GMT

Stanislav Manolev and Tim Matavz scored late on to seal a 2-1 victory over Rapid Bucuresti and ensure PSV Eindhoven finished at the top of UEFA Europa League Group C.

Wisla profit as PSG, Fulham exit

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:51:00 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain and Fulham have both suffered surprisingly early exits from the UEFA Europa League, while the likes of Lazio, Twente, Wisla Krakow and Stoke City are through to the last 32.

Mancunian misery as four progress

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:11:00 GMT

The UEFA Champions League group phase reached a dramatic finale as both Manchester sides crashed out while goal-hungry Lyon sensationally advanced along with CSKA Moscow, Basel and Napoli.

Benfica beat Otelul to finish top

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:13:00 GMT

Benfica claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Otelul Galati with a goal from Oscar Cardozo to seal top spot in Group C of the UEFA Champions League as they now look towards the last 16.

Stoke saved late, Sporting progress

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:04:00 GMT

Stoke City are into the UEFA Europa League knockout stages after drawing with Dynamo Kyiv, Sporting ensured qualification as group winners, but a surprise defeat has left Paris Saint-Germain in trouble.

Twente triumph, Schalke seal top spot

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:49:00 GMT

FC Twente beat Fulham 1-0 to leave the Premier League side with work to do in Group K, Schalke sealed first place in Group J, while Lokomotiv Moscow booked their place in the knockout stages.

Huntelaar targets progress for the fans

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:54:00 GMT

With Schalke on the verge of making the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, Klass Jan Huntelaar wants a win against Steaua Bucharest to give the fans something to cheer about.

Petrescu extends contract with Kuban

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:28:00 GMT

Russian Premier League side Kuban Krasnodar have agreed a new deal with coach Dan Petrescu, the 43-year-old Romanian committing himself to the club until 2015.

Safe passage for Bayern, Inter, Benfica

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:11:00 GMT

Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Benfica all eased into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening, the Germans and Italians going through as group winners.

Basel outlast Otelul on the road

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:14:00 GMT

Ruthless finishing made the difference for Basel in Romania as they beat Otelul Galati 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League.

Last 16 places ready to be claimed

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:57:00 GMT

Manchester City head to Naples, while Manchester United host Benfica as a handful of sides vie for passage to the Round of 16 on Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League.

Germany, Uruguay lay down markers

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:56:00 GMT

Tuesday’s friendly internationals saw Germany record a resounding victory over the Dutch and Uruguay pull off a memorable success in Italy. England and USA both won, while France and Spain settled for draws.

Mixed fortunes for EURO hosts

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:58:00 GMT

Ukraine’s high-scoring draw with Germany proved the pick of Friday’s friendlies across Europe, while fellow UEFA EURO 2012 hosts Poland lost at home to Italy.

Five teams through as Spurs stutter

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:10:00 GMT

PSV Eindhoven, Twente, Anderlecht, Legia Warsaw, and Athletic Bilbao have all ensured their passage in to the last 32 in the UEFA Europa League, while Tottenham Hotspur will have to wait after a loss to Rubin Kazan.

Madrid cruise, Benfica denied

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:19:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest UEFA Champions League action as Real Madrid secured a last 16 berth, while there were wins for Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and both Manchester clubs on a positive night for the continent's elite.

United on track with Otelul win

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:02:00 GMT

Manchester United scored early through Antonio Valencia, but were made to wait until three minutes from time to put the match beyond doubt when Wayne Rooney's deflected effort sealed a 2-0 win over Otelul Galati.

Galati’s Pena eyes historic upset

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:07:00 GMT

Marius Pena made history with Otelul Galati’s maiden Champions League goal. FIFA.com spoke to the striker ahead of the Romanians’ trip to Manchester United on Wednesday.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:29:00 GMT

This week's run-down of the upcoming birthdays across planet football includes Pele, turning 71, Wayne Rooney in the aftermath of the of Manchester derby and Robert Pires still looking to continue his career at 38.

Udinese, Schalke stun as Fulham falter

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:31:00 GMT

Udinese scored two last-gasp goals to defeat Atletico Madrid, while Schalke ran out 5-0 winners over Steaua Bucharest, and ten-man Fulham lost 1-0 to Wisla Krakow in the UEFA Europa League.

Napoli hold Bayern, Real triumph again

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:38:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League group stage which proved a winning one for Real Madrid, Ajax, Inter Milan and both Manchester sides, while Napoli and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling draw.

Spot-on Rooney spurs United win

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:55:00 GMT

Wayne Rooney became the highest English scorer in the UEFA Champions League as ten-man Manchester United scraped home against Romanian Group C stragglers Otelul Galati.

Munteanu: United match my biggest night

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:35:00 GMT

Otelul Gulati coach Dorinel Munteanu has labelled the visit of Manchester United tomorrow in the UEFA Champions League as "the biggest night" of his coaching career, and insists his side will show no fear,

Albania, Romania draw out

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:12:00 GMT

Srgian Luchin netted a late equaliser to earn Romania a draw from their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying trip to Albania today.

Remy ready for Bosnia showdown

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:13:00 GMT

Loic Remy feels tomorrow's game against Bosnia-Herzegovina will be one of the big games of France coach Laurent Blanc's era, with a draw enough to secure UEFA EURO 2012 qualification for the Group D leaders.

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.

Romanian EURO hopes dashed

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:10:00 GMT

Romania's slim hopes of qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012 were ended tonight as they were held to a draw at home to Belarus.

Cisse aims to prove his worth

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:14:00 GMT

Djibril Cisse is looking to grasp his chance in the France squad for their final two crucial UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers, which Les Bleus must win to prevent Bosnia and Herzegovina having a chance of topping Group D.

Atletico draw, Spurs, Schalke convince

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:11:00 GMT

Juanfran scored late to rescue a 1-1 UEFA Europa League draw for Atletico Madrid against Rennes, while Christian Fuchs' double helped Schalke to a 3-1 win over Maccabi Haifa, and Tottenham Hotspur beat Shamrock Rovers.

Benfica edge past minnows Otelul

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:44:00 GMT

A lone goal five minutes before the interval from Bruno Cesar gave Benfica victory over Otelul Galati which see the Portuguese club well positioned with a joint lead of UEFA Champions League Group C.

Jesus not taking Otelul lightly

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:39:00 GMT

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has said the Portuguese side will approach their UEFA Champions League game against Otelul Gulati with the same attitude they had for their 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Lazio, Celtic struggle as Europa begins

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Italian giants Lazio were fortunate to escape with a draw against Romanian side Vaslui in their opening UEFA Europa League clash while Celtic were beaten and Sporting Lisbon, PSV and Besiktas picked up wins.

Basel on song in opener

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:16:00 GMT

Alexander Frei's late penalty earned Basel an unimpressive victory at home to UEFA Champions League debutants Otelul Galati this evening.

Nesu reveals anguish, gratitude

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:48:00 GMT

Mihai Nesu, who is slowly recovering from near-total paralysis, has disclosed details of his daily struggles, discussed his dream to walk again and thanked the fans for their support.

Tamas handed three-match ban

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:57:00 GMT

West Bromwich Albion's defender Gabriel Tamas has accepted a charge of violent conduct, resulting in a three-match ban, after an incident in Sunday's Premier League match at Norwich.

Quintet begin life among Europe’s elite

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 08:49:00 GMT

Five clubs from five different countries enter the Champions League group stage for the first time this week. FIFA.com examines the teams breaking new ground.

Champions League back with a bang

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 05:46:00 GMT

The long road to next May's UEFA Champions League final in Munich commences in earnest this week highlighted by potentially epic ties featuring past winners as Barcelona face AC Milan and Benfica host Manchester United.

Firing blanks to shoot-out shock

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:57:00 GMT

Missing a penalty during a shoot-out is always a possibility in football, but FIFA.com takes a look back at some of the more memorable and rare examples of when a team has not scored one.

Blatter opens Romanian training centre

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:23:00 GMT

On Tuesday the FIFA President travelled to Romania, where he unveiled a new training centre in Buftea, a complex partly financed by the Goal Project.

France frustrated by Romanian draw

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:03:00 GMT

France laboured to earn a 1-1 draw with Romania at National Arena, but nonetheless, remain unbeaten in their last 13 matches and are well on their way to qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012.