FIFA.com - Olympic Football Tournaments London 2012 - News

Shocks blow open qualifying race

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:34:00 GMT

Crucial late goals were the order of the day in Asian qualifying for London 2012 with Korea Republic securing a draw but fellow frontrunners Japan were stunned by a last-gasp winner, while Uzbekistan are on the cusp of qualification.

East Asians look to tighten grip

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:16:00 GMT

Well-placed Japan and Korea Republic have London 2012 in their sights as Asian qualifying resumes for the year, while the remaining group is a four-way contest between Australia, Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

Sandro: I’ve improved a lot tactically

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:21:00 GMT

Midfielder Sandro speaks to FIFA.com about adapting to English football, Tottenham Hotspur’s title challenge and impressive record with him in the team, the appreciation from the fans and his desire to help Brazil win Olympic gold.

Kleber, Porto’s wandering star

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:59:00 GMT

Kleber’s lust for adventure has been rewarded with a starring role at Porto and a place in the Brazilian national team. FIFA.com spoke to the young and upwardly mobile striker.

Countdown begins to London 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:28:00 GMT

With less than 200 days to go before the start of London 2012, FIFA.com takes a look at what to expect in the run up to the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Football Tournaments.

El Shenawy: I want Al Masry silverware

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:00:00 GMT

Having qualified for the Olympic games for the first time in 19 years, Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy looks towards the tournament as well as targeting club silverware with Al Masry.

EURO players barred from Team GB

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:32:00 GMT

The Football Association (FA) have confirmed that English players who compete at next summer's UEFA EURO 2012 will not be considered for the Great Britain Olympic team.

Unlikely Gabon lead trio to London

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:28:00 GMT

Surprise packages Gabon won the CAF U-23 Championship over the weekend to join Morocco and Egypt as African qualifiers for next year's Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Egypt to London while Gabon win title

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:52:00 GMT

Egypt claimed their place at the 2012 London Olympic's after they beat Senegal in the CAF U-23 Championships third-placed play-off, while Gabon lifted the title with a win over Morocco.

Egypt, Senegal in second chance to reach London

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:31:00 GMT

Egypt and Senegal will have a second opportunity to book London 2012 qualification when they meet on the weekend in Marrakech.

Morocco down Egypt for London berth

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:39:00 GMT

Morocco defeated Egypt 3-2 in their CAF Under-23 Championship semi-final to clinch a place at next year's Men's Olympic Football Tournament in London.

Beckham: Playing in Olympics 'special'

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:40:00 GMT

Speaking after playing what may be his last match for Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham says he is excited at the prospect of playing at London 2012.

Nashville, Carson to host CONCACAF qualifying

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:11:00 GMT

USA have been placed in Group A alongside Canada, Cuba, and El Salvador for Men's Olympic Football qualifying in CONCACAF, which will be held in both Nashville and Carson.

Gabon stun Senegal to reach London

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:02:00 GMT

Gabon have booked their place at next year's Men's Olympic Football Tournament as they secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Senegal in their CAF Under-23 Championship semi-final.

Menezes looking towards London

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:21:00 GMT

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has said he has a squad in mind for next year's Men's Olympic Football Tournament in London, and that the core of the team for Brazil 2014 will not be determined until after those games.

Egypt hope to end 19-year wait

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:06:00 GMT

Egypt can secure a place at London 2012 for the first time since 1992 with victory over Morocco in their CAF Under-23 Championship encounter in the semi-finals.

East Asians set the tone

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:07:00 GMT

The race for London 2012 has hit the halfway mark in Asia with Japan and Korea Republic currently in pole position, while the third qualification berth is wide open.

Goal-shy Aussies held, Japan on course

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:56:00 GMT

Australia's Olympic qualifying hopes for London 2012 suffered yet another blow as they were held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw, this time by Uzbekistan, while Japan stayed on course with a 2-1 win over Syria.

Late Bahrain treble stuns Malaysia

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:18:00 GMT

A stunning late comeback by Bahrain, mounting a three goal-turnaround in the last ten minutes to win 3-2, against Malaysia has helped to keep their hopes of reaching the London 2012 Olympics alive.

Third straight win for Japan

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:09:00 GMT

Japan have continued their march towards the 2012 Olympics after their 100 per cent record in Group C carried on with a 2-1 victory over Syria, with Yuki Otsu striking four minutes from time.

Uzbekistan stay top of group with draw

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:14:00 GMT

Uzbekistan kept their charge for a spot at the 2012 Olympics intact as they held out for a 0-0 draw away at Australia, forcing the hosts into their third straight qualifier without a goal.

Penalty gives Korea edge over Saudis

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:15:00 GMT

Korea Republic edged closer to a spot at the 2012 London Olympics after a first-half penalty converted by Cho Young-Cheol saw them take a 1-0 lead over Saudi Arabia, and put them top of Group A.

African rivals reach for London tickets

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:28:00 GMT

Qualifying for the London 2012 men’s tournament reaches the final stage in Africa this weekend as eight teams meet in Morocco seeking to maintain their Olympic dreams.

Syria beat Malaysia to keep pace

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:27:00 GMT

Syria recorded a 2-0 victory over Malaysia to keep pace with leaders Japan in Group C of Asian qualifying for the 2012 Men's Olympic Football Tournament.

Japan top group with Bahrain win

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:24:00 GMT

Japan eased to a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in the third round of Asian qualifying for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament next year, scoring through Yuki Otsu and Keigo Higashi.

Aussie hopes stalled by Iraq

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Australia were held to goalless draw by Iraq in their Group C encounter in Asian qualifying for the Olympic Football Tournament London 2012.

Cities confirmed for CONCACAF qualifiers

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:29:00 GMT

Men's Olympic football qualifying in the CONCACAF region will take place between 22 March and 2 April in the USA cities of Nashville, Kansas City and Los Angeles.

Team GB fixture dates confirmed and tickets back on sale

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:11:00 GMT

London 2012 have announced Team GB's fixture dates and placed tickets for the football competition back on sale. The Final Draw will also take place on 24 April 2012 at Wembley Stadium.

Beckham repeats Olympic desire

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:25:00 GMT

David Beckham has reiterated his interest in playing for the Great Britain team at the Men's Olympic Football Tournament in London next year and insists he can still perform at the top level.

Ramzy: Egypt are among the favourites

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:22:00 GMT

Legendary Egypt centre-back Hany Ramzy spoke with FIFA.com about coaching his country's U-23 side, their preparations for the final round of African qualifiers for London 2012, and their opponents in Group B.

Porter to guide USA Olympic hopefuls

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:00:00 GMT

US Soccer have appointed Caleb Porter as the head coach of their Under-23 squad as the United States look to qualify for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament in London next year.

Pearce, Powell to lead British 2012 teams

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:18:00 GMT

Stuart Pearce and Hope Powell have been selected to lead the British football teams for the London Olympics in 2012, with both men's and women's sides being able to choose players from all four home nations.

Morocco takes role of qualifying host

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:46:00 GMT

Morocco will replace Egypt as the host country for Africa's final qualifying round for the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament, with the qualifiers to be held 26 November to 10 December.

Mixed starts for Asian favourites

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:27:00 GMT

Asia’s final qualifying round for London 2012 began with the favoured nations enduring mixed results amid six keenly fought matches, which suggests the looming battle for the three automatic berths will be intense.

Japan, Korea Republic ease to victory

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Japan and Korea Republic secured comfortable 2-0 wins over Malaysia and Oman respectively, while Australia were held to a goalless draw by United Arab Emirates in the final round of qualifying for London 2012.

London berths beckon for Asian hopefuls

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:52:00 GMT

The final stage of Asian qualifying for London 2012 commences on Wednesday with 12 teams, headed by previous qualifiers Australia, Japan and Korea Republic, vying for just three automatic berths.

Draw date for African qualifiers

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:04:00 GMT

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the draw for its final round of Men’s Olympic Football Tournament qualifiers will take place on 24 September.

Egypt hosting Olympic qualifier

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:50:00 GMT

Egypt has been announced as the hosts of the first CAF U-23 Championship which will serve as Africa’s qualifier for the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament.

European qualifiers now targeting gold

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:14:00 GMT

Spain may have lifted the UEFA European U-21 Football Championships title, but fellow London 2012 qualifiers Switzerland and Belarus both have plenty to be confident about as FIFA.com reviews the tournament.

Spain sink Swiss for final victory

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:56:00 GMT

Spain have won the UEFA European U-21 Championships with a 2-0 final victory over Switzerland, thanks to goals from Ander Herrera and Thiago Alcantara.

Belarus seal Olympic berth

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:06:00 GMT

Yegor Filipenko's late goal against Czech Republic in Aalborg booked Belarus a place at the football tournament of the Olympic Games for the first time in the country's history.

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.

Spain, Switzerland London-bound

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:22:00 GMT

Spain and Switzerland have qualified for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament after beating Belarus and Czech Republic respectively in the semi-finals of the UEFA U-21 European Championships in Denmark.

Final eight settled in Africa

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:21:00 GMT

Eight African teams remain in contention to reach the 2012 London Olympics after the second qualifying round was completed this weekend.

Asian giants take strong advantages

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:01:00 GMT

Asian qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics continues this week, with today's first legs seeing Australia, Japan and Korea Republic all take a healthy advantage in their ties.

Aussies ease past Yemen

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 09:45:00 GMT

Australia began their attempt to reach next year's London Olympics in style, with Jason Hoffman inspiring his side to a 3-0 win against Yemen in their first leg.

Nigeria, South Africa walk Olympic tightrope

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:18:00 GMT

Nigeria and South Africa both face must-win fixtures against Tanzania and Benin respectively as they attempt to maintain their hopes of reaching London 2012.

Uygur duo chase Olympic dream

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:33:00 GMT

China PR will have a new look when they begin their London 2012 qualification campaign this weekend, with the side set to feature the highly-rated Bali Maimaitiyili and Mirehmetjan Muzepper, both of Uygur descent.

Korea call up Cho for qualifier

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:17:00 GMT

Striker Cho Young-Cheol has been called up by Korea Republic for their 2012 London Olympics qualifier against Jordan later this month.

Young Euros seek Olympic goal

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:58:00 GMT

The UEFA European U-21 Championship is set to kick off in Denmark. At stake for the eight finalists are the continental crown and three tickets to London 2012.

Venue changes for Syria and Yemen

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:25:00 GMT

Due to the situation in Syria and Yemen, their forthcoming qualifiers for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament will be played outside of the respective countries.