FIFA.com - News

Messi: Turkey 2013 will be great

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:53:00 GMT

A dream meeting took place on the eve of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which runs from 21 June to 13 July in Turkey, as Barcelona star Lionel Messi met with Turkey U-20 star Sadık Ciftpınar.

Referees appointed for FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:42:00 GMT

FIFA has appointed the referees for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 and the list of 69 officials is available here on FIFA.com.

Visa cardholders offered discounted tickets

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:35:00 GMT

FIFA is offering Visa Cardholders the opportunity to buy tickets for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 with a 15 per cent discount. The offer is open to all Visa cardholders between 10 May and 7 June.

Blatter gives condolences on Yazici passing

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:23:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has paid his respects to Bursaspor president Ibrahim Yazici, who has died at the age of 65.

Kayserispor triumph in 28-penalty shootout

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:53:00 GMT

A 28-penalty shootout decided the destination of the Turkish Cup in 2008. The winners were indebted to a man who scored two spot-kicks and saved four. FIFA.com recalls the drama.

Blatter meets Turkish Prime Minister

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:23:00 GMT

Six weeks before the start of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has met with the Turkish Prime Minister to discuss the tournament, the 2020 Olympic Games bid and football development.

Galatasary clinch 19th league crown

Sun, 05 May 2013 21:48:00 GMT

Galatasaray clinched the Turkish league title on Sunday with two games of the season remaining as they crushed Sivasspor 4-2 in Istanbul and saw arch-rivals Fenerbahce beaten 2-0 by Buyuksehir Belediyespor.

Benfica beat Fener, book passage to final

Thu, 02 May 2013 22:34:00 GMT

Oscar Cardozo's double helped Benfica to a 3-1 win against Fenerbahce, which pushed the Portuguese league leaders through to the UEFA Europa League final 3-2 on aggregate.

A springboard into the world’s elite

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:23:00 GMT

Ahead of this summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, FIFA.com and FIFA TV look back on some of the tournament’s previous editions, which launched the careers of more than a few of the world’s biggest stars.

Sow eyeing Turkish delight

Wed, 01 May 2013 21:09:00 GMT

Moussa Sow has admitted he is dreaming of success for Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League, but concedes they must focus on their semi-final second leg against Benfica.

FIFA World Cup fever grips sunbaked Antalya

Wed, 01 May 2013 07:47:00 GMT

Although there are still seven weeks until the start of Turkey 2013, this football-mad nation is already in party mood. FIFA.com visited one of the host cities, Antalya, to see for itself.

FIFA U-20 World Cup trophy stops off in Antalya

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:52:00 GMT

Presented by Halkbank, one of the national supporters of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, the tournament's Trophy Tour made its second stop in Antalya.

Trabzon hosts fourth Grassroots Festival

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:07:00 GMT

In partnership with sponsors Ülker, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) staged the fourth event of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Grassroots Festival in Trabzon this Friday.

Fener in charge against Benfica

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:23:00 GMT

Fenerbahce secured a 1-0 victory over Benfica courtesy of a goal from Egeman Korkmaz, making up for a missed penalty from Cristian Baroni on the stroke of half-time, to give them control of their UEFA Europa League semi-final.

Trophy Tour kicks off in Kayseri

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:50:00 GMT

The trophy tour for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013, presented by tournament sponsor Halkbank, began in Kayseri this weekend where the tournament's opening match on 21 June will take place.

Third Grassroots Festival event held in Gaziantep

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:03:00 GMT

The Turkish Football Federation has staged the third event of seven FIFA U-20 World Cup Grassroots Festivals in Gaziantep.

Tekerci: I get goosebumps thinking about playing

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:18:00 GMT

Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Aykut Ozer and Nuremberg midfielder Sinan Tekerci express their excitement to FIFA.com about the prospect of representing Turkey on home soil and discuss Turkish fans’ passion for football.

Second Grassroots Festival event held in Antalya

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:53:00 GMT

In partnership with the Turkish Football Federation and sponsors Ülker, the FIFA U-20 World Cup Grassroots Festival held its second event this Friday in the host city of Antalya.

Chelsea face Basel, Benfica draw Fener

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:06:00 GMT

Chelsea will face Basel in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League as they bid to win their second successive European title, while Benfica will play Turkish giants Fenerbahce in the final four.

Basel edge Spurs, Benfica and Fener advance

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:23:00 GMT

Basel has booked a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on penalties, while Benfica and Fenerbahce also advance on aggregate despite both matches finishing 1-1.

Webo relishing Turkish renaissance

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:15:00 GMT

Pierre Webo speaks to FIFA.com about reviving his career in Turkish, his hopes of landing the treble with Fenerbahce, and prospects of a return to the Cameroon national fold.

Mourinho plans discussions on his future

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:51:00 GMT

After making it past Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has said he will discuss his future at the club with club president Florentino Perez at the end of the season.

Ronaldo: Mistakes cannot be repeated

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

After a nervy night in Istanbul, where a 3-2 defeat saw Real Madrid edge past Galatasaray 5-3 on aggregate in to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Cristiano Ronaldo believes Los Blancos must learn from their errors.

History-seeking Chelsea target Europa semis

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:22:00 GMT

Chelsea will be aiming to claim a berth in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals on Wednesday when they travel to Rubin Kazan, as they seek to become the first British side to win all three of UEFA's major club competitions.

Mourinho praises brave Galatasaray

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:32:00 GMT

Jose Mourinho lauded the effort of Galatasaray and the atmosphere in Istanbul as the Turks threatened a famous comeback with a 3-2 win against Real Madrid in the second-leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Gala beat Real in Istanbul, bow out in style

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:16:00 GMT

Goals from Emmanuel Eboue, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba helped Galatasaray overcome Real Madrid 3-2 on the night, though it was insufficient to deny the nine-time European champions a place in the last four.

Spanish and German giants out to finish job

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews this week's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second legs, with big guns from Spain and Germany in pole position to advance after first-leg gains.

Real Madrid urged not to sit on lead

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:12:00 GMT

Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez says the Spanish champions cannot afford to sit on their 3-0 first-leg lead when they travel to Galatasaray with a berth in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on the line.

Grassroots Festival begins in Kayseri

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:24:00 GMT

With Turkey 2013 just months away, the “Grassroots Festival” kicked off in Kayseri, one of the competition's host cities, under the sponsorship of Ülker.

Torres shines in Chelsea win, Basel hold Spurs

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 22:34:00 GMT

Fernando Torres' brace put Chelsea past Rubin Kazan 3-1, while Tottenham Hotspur rallied to draw 2-2 with Basel and Benfica beat Newcastle United by the same scoreline in Thursday's UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.

FIFA U-20 World Cup “Grassroots Festival” launches under Ülker’s sponsorship

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:27:00 GMT

A “Grassroots Festival”, which will be organised on a World Cup concept across seven cities in collaboration with FIFA and Turkish Football Federation, kicks off this week as part of the build-up to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Mourinho: The tie isn't over yet

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:41:00 GMT

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Galatasaray still have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals despite suffering a 3-0 first-leg defeat in Madrid, with the Portuguese saying 'miracles happen in football'.

Real earn three-goal lead to take to Gala

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:08:00 GMT

Real Madrid put one foot in the semi-finals after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 3-0 win at home to Galatasaray.

Felipe Melo: I’m not scared of Real Madrid

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:01:00 GMT

Galatasaray's Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo speaks to FIFA.com about his team's UEFA Champions League quarter-final against the mighty Real Madrid, and his own role in stopping Ronaldo and Co.

Mourinho wants end to goal drought against Gala

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:21:00 GMT

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho hopes his side rediscover their goal-scoring touch against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, with the Spanish champions reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo's form recently.

Ronaldo welcomes attack-minded Galatasaray

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:32:00 GMT

Ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Galatasaray, Real Madrid star man Cristiano Ronaldo thinks his club performs best when attacking teams challenge them one-on-one.

Octet primed to begin fight for semis

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:09:00 GMT

With Bayern Munich-Juventus, Malaga-Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain-Barcelona and Real Madrid-Galatasaray on the menu, FIFA.com previews the quarter-final, first-leg action in the UEFA Champions League.

Recber: How I wish I was 20 again

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:09:00 GMT

Former goalkeeper Rustu Recber chats to FIFA.com about his career, the Turks’ incredible passion for football and the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup in his homeland.

Team delegations delight after Turkish venue visits

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:40:00 GMT

After 25 March's official draw for Turkey 2013, delegations from countries participating in the competition conducted inspection visits of the host cities.

Spain triumph, Montenegro hold firm

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up another massive evening of European Brazil 2014 qualifying highlighted by a crucial win for world champions Spain on their trip to Paris, while Montenegro and England remain evenly poised after a hard-fought draw.

Turkey and Hungary share spoils

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:44:00 GMT

Substitute Daniel Bode scored two minutes after coming on to earn Hungary a valuable FIFA World Cup qualifying point in Istanbul. Burak Yilmaz had earlier given the hosts the lead.

Turkish medical centre gains FIFA approval

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 09:30:00 GMT

Following a special ceremony, the Acıbadem Fulya Sports Medicine Centre became Turkey’s first approved centre of excellence on Monday 25 March 2013.

Iniesta versus Ribery in numbers

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:40:00 GMT

Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery are of similar age, positions and importance to their respective club and country. Ahead of their latest encounter, FIFA.com juxtaposes the pair.

Anticipation coupled with ambition

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at all the reaction after a glittering FIFA U-20 World Cup draw in Istanbul laid out the path to glory for 24 nations at Turkey 2013.

Hosts face CONMEBOL champs, France meet Spain

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:57:00 GMT

In the Final Draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, hosts Turkey were drawn in the same group as El Salvador, Australia and South American champions Colombia, while France meet Spain and USA in a competitive Group A.

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.

Leading Turkish brands join National Supporters roster

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:20:00 GMT

Major Turkish food products manufacturer Ülker, along with Turkey’s leading healthcare provider Acibadem, this week became the latest high-profile companies to join the National Supporters roster for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013.

ON DEMAND: FIFA U-20 World Cup Draw

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 08:38:00 GMT

The official draw for the 19th edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup took place amid a glittering ceremony in Istanbul on Monday and you can watch the action on FIFA.com.

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.

Gala pair down Andorra

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:57:00 GMT

Turkey breathed life back into their fading FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with victory over minnows Andorra, thanks to goals from Galatasaray players Selcuk Inan and Burak Yilmaz.