FIFA.com - News

Saudi trio to the fore

Thu, 24 May 2012 02:32:00 GMT

All three Saudi Arabia representatives progressed to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, along with Iran champions Sepahan, as memories of a disappointing 2011 campaign for the Kingdom were emphatically cast aside.

Wins for Saudi duo Al Hilal, Ittihad

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:40:00 GMT

Korea Republic forward Yoo Byung-Soo scored four goals to help Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal to an emphatic 7-1 win over Baniyas and a place in the AFC Champions League last eight along with Al Ittihad.

Ramos makes history in Dubai

Wed, 23 May 2012 20:37:00 GMT

After three incredible days in Dubai, Alfonso Ramos has become the first player to ever win two FIFA Interactive World Cup titles.

First-time finalists reflect on Dubai

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:46:00 GMT

FIFA.com spoke to several first-time Grand Finalists to discuss their first-time experiences at the showpiece event of the world's largest gaming tournament.

Al Ahli and Sepahan prosper

Tue, 22 May 2012 20:55:00 GMT

2011 UAE champions Al Jazira crashed out to Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia on penalties in the AFC Champions League, while Iranian champions Sepahan beat domestic rivals Esteghlal to claim a quarter-finals berth.

Seasoned campaigners eye last eight

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:56:00 GMT

Just a week after the group stage concluded, AFC Champions League aspirants in the west half of the continent will aim to secure passage to the quarter-finals when the knockout stage begins this week.

Heavyweights stumble as debutants shine

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:29:00 GMT

The AFC Champions group stage concluded as nine teams booked passage to the last 16, while Korea Republic heavyweights Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Motors both suffered surprise eliminations.

Rodriguez: Where else do you get this chance!

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:25:00 GMT

In our final interview of the season with Jesus Rodriguez, the former Grand Finalist reflects on an eventful year in the FIFA Interactive World Cup.

Adelaide, Ulsan secure top spot

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:03:00 GMT

Adelaide United won 2-0 at Gamba Osaka and Ulsan Hyundai were victorious against FC Tokyo as the pair claimed top spot in their respective AFC Champions League groups, while Bani Yas and Esteghlal both qualified in late matches.

Live streaming for FIWC12 Grand Final

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:51:00 GMT

From 21-23 May you will be able to follow the virtual football action live from Dubai as our Grand Finalists battle it out for the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2012 title!

Guangzhou, Nagoya advance as Motors fall

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:36:00 GMT

Dario Conca scored a late winner at Buriram United to eliminate 2011 finalists Jeonbuk Motors and send Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League last 16, with Nagoya Grampus, Seongnam Chunma and Persepolis also advancing.

Tournament format will test Grand Finalists

Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

24 elite EA SPORTS™ FIFA 12 gamers will arrive in Dubai next week for the FIWC12 Grand Final. The three-day tournament will be the ultimate test of their skill, technique and stamina.

Late scramble for nine remaining tickets

Mon, 14 May 2012 06:34:00 GMT

The final round of AFC Champions League group matches takes place in midweek with nine spots remaining up for grabs across the eight groups.

Al Kamali keen to seize historic chance

Wed, 09 May 2012 11:44:00 GMT

United Arab Emirates captain Hamdan Al Kamali is aiming to lead his team to further heights when the Gulf nation make their Olympic debut in London, following on from a qualification campaign marked by tragedy.

Parreira: Volunteers do a vital job

Mon, 07 May 2012 20:11:00 GMT

Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira visited a volunteers’ seminar in Manaus last week and gave his views on the part they have to play at Brazil 2014.

Sextet advance with ease

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:59:00 GMT

The penultimate AFC Champions League matchday saw six sides - Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, FC Tokyo, Adelaide United, Sepahan and Ulsan Hyundai - cruise into the knockout stage with room to spare.

Adelaide, Tokyo, Ulsan, Ittihad progress

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:33:00 GMT

A goalless draw against visiting Bunyodkor proved enough for Adelaide United to reach the last 16, while FC Tokyo, Ulsan Hyundai and Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad all won to advance.

Motors stun Guangzhou as Sepahan, Al Ahli progress

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:37:00 GMT

Ten-man Jeonbuk Motors clinched a late win over Guangzhou Evergrande to edge closer to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League, while Central Coast Mariners were rampant in a 5-1 defeat of Tianjin Teda.

Silverware polished across two continents

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:08:00 GMT

Champions were crowned in UAE and New Zealand, the OFC club crown hangs in the balance, while FIFA.com also looks at Japan, Korea Republic and elsewhere in our weekly review of Asian and Oceanian club action.

Heavyweights eye early progression

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:34:00 GMT

A host of Asia’s big names can book passage to the AFC Champions League knockout stage - alongside the already qualified Al Jazira - when the penultimate matchday takes place in midweek.

Respect the watchword at Wembley

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:27:00 GMT

Following Tuesday's draws for the Olympic Football Tournaments London 2012, FIFA.com was on hand at Wembley to gauge the reaction of coaches and representatives from the countries taking part.

Olympic hopefuls line up

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a host of fascinating groups across the Men's and Women's Olympic Football Tournaments following Tuesday's draw at Wembley Stadium in London.

Draw shows the road to London gold

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:48:00 GMT

Wembley Stadium provided the setting for the group draw of the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Football Tournaments London 2012 on Tuesday 24 April. FIFA.com has all details and reaction to the draw.

Al Jazira through, quintet on the verge

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 06:32:00 GMT

United Arab Emirates champions Al Jazira are the first team into the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League while much remains to be determined in the east half of the continent.

Seongnam run riot, Bunyodkor edge Gamba

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:32:00 GMT

Seongnam Chunma kick-started their campaign with a 5-0 rout of Central Coast Mariners, while Adelaide United and Bunyodkor also won, as did Al Rayyan, Lekhwiya and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in the west.

Guangzhou set pace, Tokyo impress

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:17:00 GMT

Guangzhou Evergrande reclaimed top spot in Group H of the AFC Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Kashiwa Reysol, while FC Tokyo kept their lead in Group F after a 3-0 win over Beijing Guoan.

FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final 2012 heading to Dubai

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:01:00 GMT

The FIWC is heading east to Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Hotel, providing a luxurious setting for the eighth FIWC Grand Final, taking place from 21-23 May 2012, following Barcelona 2010 and Los Angeles 2011.

Fairytales, finales and failure

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:09:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of club action in Asia and Oceania includes Saudi glory for Al Shabab, the ongoing success of Japan’s Vegalta Sendai, history for Tahiti’s AS Tefana, plus looming finales in Australia, New Zealand and UAE.

Asian heavyweights bounce back in style

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 03:31:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the midweek AFC Champions League action with some of the continent's elite bouncing back to form after an indifferent start, most notably former winners Gamba Osaka and Jeonbuk Motors.

Adelaide suffer first loss, Mariners settle

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:04:00 GMT

Adelaide United slipped to a 1-0 AFC Champions League loss at Pohang Steelers, while former winners Gamba Osaka picked up their first win of the campaign, and Central Coast Mariners were forced to settle for a draw again.

15 teams find their way to London

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:33:00 GMT

After a frenetic period of qualifying for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament 2012, which has seen 15 teams confirm their place in London, FIFA.com reviews all the action ahead of the competition draw on 24 April.

Struggling giants aim to bounce back

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:20:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the midweek AFC Champions League action as the group stage reaches its halfway point with some of the continent's elite, among them Gamba Osaka and Jeonbuk Motors, seeking to find form and keep their hopes alive.

Mixed experiences for title challengers

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 08:50:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the latest club action in Asia and Oceania with a whistle-stop tour of Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Hong Kong, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the Pacific.

Late drama and title parties abound

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:22:00 GMT

FIFA.com’s weekly review of domestic action in Asia features the handing out of trophies in Qatar and Australia, while there was action aplenty in Japan, Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere.

Mixed fortunes for Asian elite

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 03:13:00 GMT

The erratic opening to the AFC Champions League continued as Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande and 2011 finalists Jeonbuk Motors fell to stunning defeats, while Thailand's Buriram United continue to defy the odds.

Frustration for Japanese clubs

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 01:28:00 GMT

J.League clubs endured a tough evening in the AFC Champions League with FC Tokyo held by Ulsan Hyundai and Adelaide United defeating Gamba Osaka, while Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad maintained their perfect record.

Heavyweights seek to restore pride

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:53:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the second AFC Champions League matchday where the spotlight will fall on a number of the continent's elite aiming to overturn shock opening defeats.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:08:00 GMT

Featuring Diego Maradona hitting back at Pele musically, Maurizio Zamparini on how deeply he regrets one of his many dismissals, a pop star on kickabouts between gigs and an NBA star on the Messi-Ronaldo debate.

Al-Wasl beaten, Ajman move up

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:26:00 GMT

Ricardo Oliveira scored a late winner for Al-Jazira to condemn Diego Maradona's Al-Wasl to defeat, while there were also victories for Ajman and Bani Yas over Al Wahda and Al-Emirates respectively.

Japan, UAE grab London tickets

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:19:00 GMT

Japan and United Arab Emirates have joined Korea Republic in booking their places at London 2012 with final matchday victories over Bahrain and Uzbekistan respectively.

Japan and UAE reach London

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:08:00 GMT

Goals from Takahiro Ogihara and Hiroshi Kiyotak earned Japan a 2-0 win over Bahrain and a place at London 2012, while UAE clinched their place in dramatic circumstances, coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-2.

Asian hopefuls eye Olympic debut

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 06:09:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for London 2012 reaches its climax this week with Uzbekistan and United Arab Emirates both within touching distance of an historic feat, while Japan are in the box seat to claim the continent’s other available berth.

Favourites stumble as debutants shine

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:03:00 GMT

The AFC Champions League began in striking fashion with a host of debutants making their mark while former winners endured mixed fortunes, notably Gamba Osaka and Jeonbuk Motors who both fell to stunning defeats.

Koreans set the early standard

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:51:00 GMT

Pohang Steelers led the way in opening AFC Champions League action by overpowering fellow former winners Gamba Osaka, while there was also impressive wins by compatriots Ulsan, as well as Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad.

New faces out to challenge old-stagers

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:46:00 GMT

The long road to continental supremacy in Asia begins this week with the opening matches of the AFC Champions League as an array of debutants seek to overturn the traditional hegemony .

Ten left standing as Saudis, Bahrain fall

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMT

Qatar snatched a draw in Iran and a place in the final phase of Asian Zone qualifying at the expense of Bahrain, while Oman went through thanks to Saudi Arabia’s collapse in Australia and Korea Republic and Lebanon completed the last ten.

Asian hopefuls face moment of truth

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:45:00 GMT

Asia's concluding Round Three matchday sees eight nations hunting four remaining berths with continental elite Korea Republic still not safe as outsiders such as Lebanon, Thailand and Oman seek breakthrough success.

Asia's top guns ready to fire

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:28:00 GMT

Eight Asian teams remain in contention for four remaining berths to Round Four of Brazil 2014 qualifying and some veteran goalscorers are aiming to rise to the occasion.

Simultaneous kick-offs scheduled in Asia

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:57:00 GMT

FIFA have confirmed that Asian qualifying matches for Groups A and C in the Olympic Football Tournament London 2012 will take place with simultaneous kick-offs during the final Matchday on 14 March.

Contrasting fortunes for continental elite

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:45:00 GMT

Korea Republic became the first Asian team to win through to London 2012 but it was a very different story for two teams with strong Olympic pedigree - Australia and Saudi Arabia.