FIFA.com - News

Uruguay's Nacional take opening honours

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:38:00 GMT

Uruguay's Nacional began their Copa Libertadores campaign impressively with a 2-1 victory at Brazil's Vasco da Gama in a meeting of two former champions, while there was also wins for Union Espanola and Cruz Azul.

Wins for Velez, nine-man Fluminense

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:16:00 GMT

The Copa Libertadores group stage commenced with impressive wins for Velez Sarsfield and a nine-man Fluminense, while Guadalajara and Deportivo Quito played out a 1-1 stalemate.

Former kings set as group action begins

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:56:00 GMT

The group stage of the Copa Libertadores gets underway with Vasco da Gama hosting Nacional and fellow former champions Internacional, Olimpia and Velez Sarsfield in action.

Dalglish: Suarez has nothing to prove

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:29:00 GMT

Kenny Dalglish believes that Luis Suarez's 24 minute cameo in the goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur will have done him 'the world of good' following his eight match ban.

Brazil maintain perfect record, Argentina qualify

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:17:00 GMT

Brazil made it five trophies from five editions of the South American U-20 Women’s Championship with customary ease, while Argentina finished runners-up to join their arch-rivals in booking a trip to the world finals in Japan.

Training, tournaments dominate in Futsal

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest monthly Futsal round-up reflects on another busy period of training seminars and tournaments, as well as the announcements of the hosts for the UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 and the UEFA Futsal Cup.

Finalists Penarol progress to group stage

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:42:00 GMT

Last year's finalists Penarol of Uruguay and Chile's Union Espanola qualified for the Copa Libertadores' group stage after winning against Caracas and Tigres respectively.

Just 500 days until Brazil 2013 kick-off

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:02:00 GMT

The countdown to the next FIFA Confederations Cup continues apace, with just 500 days until the Brazil 2013 edition of the ‘Festival of Champions’ gets underway.

All in the balance as group stage awaits

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:23:00 GMT

Arsenal and Penarol may be all but sure of places in the group stage, but El Nacional, Internacional, Real Potosi and Union Espanola will carry just one-goal leads into the seconds legs of their preliminary-round ties on away soil.

Fiorentina sign Lecce's Oliveira

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:51:00 GMT

Fiorentina have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Ruben Oliveira from Lecce after agreeing a three-year deal with the player.

Penarol in charge against Caracas

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:44:00 GMT

Uruguayan giants Penarol are on the verge of securing a berth in the Copa Libertadores group stage after overpowering Caracas 4-0 in the first leg of their play-off.

Lodeiro: Playing is what matters

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:50:00 GMT

Nicolas Lodeiro speaks to FIFA.com about his road back from injury, adapting to Dutch football with Ajax and attempting to win back his place in the Uruguay starting XI.

Predictor enters second-half

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:01:00 GMT

Our FIFA Match Predictor prizes include a trip to Brazil 2014™, customized football jerseys and adidas Tango 12 footballs!

Copa Libertadores in numbers

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:00 GMT

With just hours to go until the start of the 53rd edition of the Copa Libertadores, FIFA.com whets your appetite with some fascinating stats from Latin America’s premier club competition.

Stiff tests for continental big hitters

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:20:00 GMT

With four former champions in the preliminary stages alone, the 2012 edition of the Copa Libertadores looks to be one of the most keenly contested in recent years.

Hosts Brazil eye more success

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:03:00 GMT

The Brazilian city of Curitiba today welcomes the fifth South American U-20 Women’s Championship, with the hosts and three-time continental champions strong favourites to emerge triumphant.

Diogo signs short-term Sofia deal

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:08:00 GMT

Former Real Madrid midfielder Carlos Diogo has agreed a six-month contract with Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia and has the option to extend that deal for a further two years.

A goal to remember for unsung hero

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:49:00 GMT

Carlos Borges made history by scoring the first goal in the inaugural Copa Libertadores, but less well-known is the bravery he showed in saving the life of a young boy in a 1963 shipping disaster. FIFA.com brings you the story.

Chile climb 12th amid minimal movement

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

With only 11 matches taken into account, there was little change on the latest edition of the FIFA Ranking, though Chile rose to 12th and Bosnia-Herzegovina went into a personal best of 19th.

Players to watch in 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 07:40:00 GMT

From Thiago Alcantara through Ross Barkley to Julian Draxler, FIFA.com casts an eye over some of football's most exciting emerging talents, for whom 2012 promises to be a landmark year.

Lazio confirm Alfaro signing

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:08:00 GMT

Lazio have confirmed the signing of Uruguay striker Emiliano Alfaro from Liverpool Montevideo on a four-and-a-half year contract.

Shocks sprung in 2011

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:22:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the teams who have caused major surprises this past year, including American Samoa, Uruguay, the Japanese women, Al-Sadd and Basel.

The Year in Numbers

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:19:00 GMT

As 2011 draws to a close, FIFA.com looks back at some of the eye-catching stats behind the year's biggest events and achievements in the world of football.

A start to remember

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:55:00 GMT

With 2011 coming to a close, FIFA.com takes a look back at the opening rounds of the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014, in which coaching casualties, upsets and sumptuous goals all featured.

Spain on top and Wales highest climber

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking for this year brings little change as world champions Spain remain at the top of the table, followed by Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay.

Suarez handed eight-match ban

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:54:00 GMT

The Football Association today confirmed that a disciplinary panel has found a charge of misconduct against Liverpool forward Luis Suarez proven, and have thus suspended the player for eight matches.

Uruguay mourns legend Nunez

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:50:00 GMT

Hector 'Pichon' Nunez, who coached Uruguay to the 1995 Copa America crown has died in Spain at the age of 75 after a long illness.

Reds claim easy victory at Villa

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:15:00 GMT

Craig Bellamy scored the first and created the second for Martin Skrtel as Liverpool recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory - their fifth away from home in the Premier League - over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Skrtel: Reds defence is doing well

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:28:00 GMT

Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel has discussed his side's impressive defensive record so far this season, his partnership with Daniel Agger, and the importance of forward Luis Suarez.

'melola': A long way to go

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:54:00 GMT

We spoke to Uruguay's melola after his impressive performance in Round 15 of FIFA Match Predictor.

Universidad cruise to continental crown

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:50:00 GMT

Universidad de Chile are Copa Sudamericana champions after a brace from tournament top goalscorer Eduardo Vargas eased La U past Ecuador's Liga de Quito 4-0 on aggregate.

Champions crowned in South America

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:06:00 GMT

Corinthians, Boca Juniors and Nacional were crowned champions of their respective leagues, and the Mexican Apertura finalists were decided in a weekend that also saw Brazil pay tribute to the late Socrates.

Drama in Brazil, four remain in Mexico

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:39:00 GMT

The Brasileirao will be decided on the last day of action next Sunday, while Boca Juniors are a point from glory in Argentina and two Mexican giants fell.

Training for a brighter future

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:38:00 GMT

The Ecuadorian capital of Quito has just hosted two insightful FIFA training seminars for goalkeeping coaches and football development directors. FIFA.com reports.

Germans close on Dutch, England go fifth

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:01:00 GMT

Spain maintained pole position on the global ladder, while third-placed Germany closed on the Netherlands and England jumped two spots to fifth. Elsewhere, Croatia, Czech Republic and Ecuador make ground.

Stars shine as Galaxy triumph

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:24:00 GMT

David Beckham won his first MLS crown with LA Galaxy, while Adriano and Alvaro Recoba both scored vital goals on a weekend when the stars shone brightly in the Americas. FIFA.com has all the details in its weekly round-up.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:35:00 GMT

It's Sunday and that means it's time for FIFA.com to look ahead to the week's birthdays, featuring the likes of Vicenzo Iaquinta, Gustavo Poyet and AFC Champions League-winning coach Jorge Fossati.

Goalkeepers who belied their size

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:18:00 GMT

Featuring the likes of Ubaldo Fillol and Jorge Campos, FIFA.com takes a look at the many goalkeepers who have disproved the theory that size matters.

Cap kings and landmark goals

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:57:00 GMT

Luis Suarez, Ahmed Hassan, Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon star in FIFA.com's latest stats review, which also reports on an English milestone and the end of Japan's long unbeaten run.

Prandelli: We're on the right path

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:42:00 GMT

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has said he is not concerned by the national side's friendly loss to Uruguay and has said that he believes they are coming together as a team.

Ten-man Uruguay stun Italy in Rome

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:10:00 GMT

Sebastian Fernandez scored the only goal of the game as Uruguay stunned Italy with a smash-and-grab 1-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome Today.

Suarez ruled out for Italy friendly

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:51:00 GMT

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has said Luis Suarez will sit out tomorrow's international friendly against Italy after he suffered a knock in the squad's Brazil 2014 qualifying match against Chile at the weekend.

Prandelli: Uruguay my biggest challenge

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:02:00 GMT

Cesare Prandelli has said getting the better of an in-form Uruguay side tomorrow is going to be his biggest challenge since taking over Italy, while giving glowing praise about opposing coach Oscar Tabarez.

Tough tests await struggling duo

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:27:00 GMT

Argentina and Chile are under major pressure as they go into crunch FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Paraguay respectively, while Bolivia face up to Venezuela. FIFA.com previews the action.

The Week in Quotes

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:49:00 GMT

Our pick of the week's best quotes features Michel Bastos on the best player in Ligue 1, Pablo Zabaleta on following in the footsteps of an Argentinian idol, and Yann M'Vila on France's aims for UEFA EURO 2012.

Suarez shines as Uruguay rout Chile

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:34:00 GMT

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez turned in a stunning virtuoso performance by scoring all four goals as Uruguay overwhelmed Chile 4-0, while Argentina could only draw with Bolivia and Paraguay beat Ecuador.

Four-goal Suarez makes more history

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:24:00 GMT

In the absence of South Africa 2010 adidas Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan, his Uruguay strike partner Luis Suarez stepped up to down La Roja with a virtuoso display.

Uruguay cut loose, Argentina frustrated

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:53:00 GMT

South American qualifying leaders Uruguay thrashed Chile to shrug aside any 11/11/11 ill omens, though it was a lean day for Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador.

Hosts favoured in reunion round

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:10:00 GMT

Argentina-Bolivia, Paraguay-Ecuador and Uruguay-Chile may have ended all square at this year’s Copa America, but the home sides will be confident of victory given their impressive records in the fixture.

Happy birthday to you!

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:34:00 GMT

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