FIFA.com - Latest News

Tahitians savour goal-scoring glory

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:45:46 GMT

Jonathan Tehau tells FIFA.com about his historic goal for Tahiti – the nation’s first in a senior FIFA competition – and the poignant goal celebration which followed.

Eaglets counting on spirit to soar

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:54:26 GMT

After a poor performance in Colombia two years ago, Mali coach Mussa Keita tells FIFA.com he is keen to see his side step up at the FIFA U-20 World Cup this time around.

Tehau makes dreams come true

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:13:00 GMT

Although Nigeria jumped to the top of the Group B standings with a 6-1 win over Tahiti, the most memorable moment of the day came when Jonathan Tehau scored their first ever goal in a FIFA competition.

Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo getting familiar

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:08:29 GMT

We chat to Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo, with the Brazilian pair looking to build a strong relationship in A Seleção's midfield at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Hasebe: We have to stop Pirlo

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:06:00 GMT

When Italy face Japan at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Japanese captain Makoto Hasebe will have one very specific task. He is the man to stop Italy schemer Andrea Pirlo, who was in imperious form in their victory over Mexico.

Nigeria ease to victory as Tahiti win friends

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:53:00 GMT

Jonathan Tehau scored a historic goal in Tahiti's first match at a senior FIFA tournament, but they were no match for Nigeria who completed a 6-1 victory.

Zaccheroni plots homeland’s downfall

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:39:30 GMT

There were differing fortunes for Italy and Japan in their opening matches at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. Now both sides travel to the Arena Pernambuco in Recife for their second game in Group A.

A day to remember in Brasilia

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:45:36 GMT

A performer in Saturday’s opening ceremony of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, alongside his wife, Rafael Ruscher gave FIFA.com an account of his experience.

Restrepo: We want to keep our flag flying high

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:42:00 GMT

Colombia coach Carlos Restrepo tells FIFA.com that Falcao and Freddy Guarin have sent supportive messages to his U-20 players, weights up their group-stage opponents and discusses their desire to lift the trophy.

Made in Germany, an American star emerges

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:29:08 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with USA's new Germany-born winger Fabian Johnson to talk about the differences between football in the Bundesliga and CONCACAF, and his hopes for more success with the Stars and Stripes.

Make-or-break Brazil test for Mexico

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:06:00 GMT

Brazil and Mexico meet in Group A on Wednesday in very different frames of mind. While the hosts are looking to maintain their promising form, El Tri need points to stay in the competition.

A reunion and a record in Belo Horizonte

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:17:00 GMT

Nigeria will be out to protect a proud statistic when they meet Tahiti. FIFA.com highlights a key individual duel and recalls South Africa's duel with New Zealand four years ago to the day.

Isco: I have propositions from City and Real

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:31:00 GMT

Malaga playmaker Isco has disclosed that he has received offers from Manchester City and Real Madrid and discussed whether Manuel Pellegrini assuming the English club's reins will influence a decision on his future.

USA, Costa Rica aim to increase gap

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:27:49 GMT

With Mexico away at the FIFA Confederations Cup, Hexagonal leaders USA and Costa Rica are keen to keep up their sizzling form and get a jump on their rivals in CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Asia’s finale sees three spots up for grabs

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:24:00 GMT

The final round of Asian qualifying is set to be a tense and gripping affair with three tickets to Brazil 2014 to be decided, while the nations to feature in the play-off will also be determined.

Brazil versus Japan in a fish fight!

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:16:00 GMT

Every Monday, FIFA.com delivers you a football-related photo you won’t be able to resist paying a second glance to. This week’s is from the Brazil-Japan match on Saturday – the one in a Yokohama fish tank, that is!

Owen: I’m proud I was at the top so long

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:21:00 GMT

In an intriguingly honest interview with FIFA.com, Michael Owen admits he was never the same player after sustaining a hamstring injury as a 19-year-old and discusses his successes, regrets and future in the game.

Korea aim to take Asian supremacy to grander stage

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:19:00 GMT

Having led his side to the continental crown last year, Korea Republic captain Lee Changgeun remains confident of his team’s ability heading into Turkey 2013.

Turkish football's splendid trajectory

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:03:00 GMT

Ahead of the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup commencing later this week, we take a look back at the rich and, at times, intriguing history of Turkey’s association with the beautiful game.

Neill: We are not thinking about Brazil

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:14:00 GMT

Australia captain Lucas Neill says the Socceroos have no thoughts of complacency despite needing only a home win against an already eliminated Iraq, who are missing several key players, to book passage to Brazil.

Del Bosque: Only our finishing let us down

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:05:00 GMT

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque says he is delighted with his team's FIFA Confederations Cup opening victory against Uruguay and believes only poor finishing prevented a greater winning margin.

Soldado: Confeds perfect end to season

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:25:00 GMT

FIFA.com talks to Roberto Soldado, who made up for previous disappointments with Spain by taking advantage of his opportunity and scoring against Uruguay.

Pirlo the peerless, Spain sublime

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:59:00 GMT

On the second matchday of the FIFA Confederations Cup, there was a masterclass of the art of free-kick taking from centurion Andrea Pirlo and Uruguay's Luis Suarez, but only the former ended up on the winning side.

Pirlo in a class of his own

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:30:19 GMT

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo marked his 100th cap for his country with a superb goal and the Budweiser Man of the Match award, delighting the fans and his team-mates in the process.

Dominant Spain down Uruguay

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:55:00 GMT

Spain beat Uruguay 2-1 in the opening game in Group B of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup thanks to first half goals from Pedro and Roberto Soldado.

Valcke: Thank you to all the volunteers

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:13:00 GMT

The day after the opening game at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 between hosts Brazil and Japan, FIFA.com spoke to FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke about the work of volunteers and the match in Brasilia.

Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt lead charge

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 22:12:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt and a handful of other teams secured qualification for the final round of African qualifiers for Brazil 2014, but many groups are open with one matchday left to play.

Centurion Pirlo and Balotelli see off Mexico

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:53:00 GMT

A brilliant Andrea Pirlo free-kick, on his 100th international appearance, and a 78th-minute Mario Balotelli effort earned Italy a 2-1 win over Mexico in their Brazil 2013 opener.

Disciplinary proceedings opened against three member associations

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:24:00 GMT

FIFA can confirm that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against three member associations for each having allegedly fielded an ineligible player in the preliminary competition for Brazil 2014.

Tahiti coach urges amateurs to be brave

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:23:00 GMT

Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta is preparing his team for their opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup against Nigeria, and he says his team's heart and spirit are their biggest weapons.

FIFA President mourns German FIFA World Cup winning duo

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:53:00 GMT

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has expressed his sorrow at the deaths of German football icons Ottmar Walter and Heinz Flohe.

Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Tunisia reach play-offs

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:23:00 GMT

A brace from Yaya Toure helped Côte d'Ivoire to a 4-2 victory over Tanzania to see them become the first side to reach the final round of African FIFA World Cup™ qualifying, before being followed by Egypt and Tunisia.

Ludivion: It’s a great honour

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:13:00 GMT

With a tough set of fixtures ahead, Tahiti enter the fray at the FIFA Confederations Cup with defender Teheivarii Ludivion looking forward to reacquainting himself with Nigeria after first playing the African side four years ago.

Ronaldo, the goal that started it all

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com winds back the clock 15 years to 16 June 1998, when Ronaldo scored the first of his record-breaking 15 FIFA World Cup™ goals.

Happy Birthday to you!

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 09:53:00 GMT

We look ahead to another week of birthdays across the footballing world, this week including Portugal coach Paulo Bento as well as international goalkeepers Faryd Mondragon and Noor Sabri.

Neymar shows his class

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:28:00 GMT

Neymar, Fred and Maya Yoshida spoke to FIFA.com about the Brazil No10's wonder strike just three minutes into the opening game kicked off the FIFA Confederations Cup carnival.

Del Bosque talks Casillas, Xavi eyes missing title

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:39:00 GMT

Vicente Del Bosque has discussed a troublesome period for Iker Casillas, who has weighed in on his match-fitness. Xavi, meanwhile, has rued Spain's disappointment in South Africa in 2009.

Trio of world champions join the fray

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:24:00 GMT

Reigning world champions Spain take on inaugural FIFA World Cup™ winners Uruguay, while four-time world champions Italy battle Mexico as FIFA.com previews the second day of FIFA Confederations Cup action.

Scolari: We can become a great team

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 00:16:00 GMT

Luiz Felipe Scolari has praised Neymar and Fred, warned his players not to underestimate Mexico and opined that Brazil can develop into an outstanding side.

Three and easy for Brazil

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:45:04 GMT

After the FIFA and Brazilian presidents declared the tournament open following a colourful opening ceremony, the FIFA Confederations Cup carnival began with a golaço from Neymar as Brazil swept aside Japan in Brasilia.

Mourinho lays down the law to Blues

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:01:00 GMT

New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is applying the same mentality he had when he first took over the Blues in his second tenure in charge at Stamford Bridge, warning players to "work 100 per cent for me."

Neymar kicks-off Confeds carnival

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:56:00 GMT

Early goals in each half from Neymar and Paulinho saw Brazil begin their FIFA Confederations Cup campaign with a win against Japan, with Jo completing the victory late on.

Independiente suffer first-ever relegation

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:52:00 GMT

For the first time in their history, Independiente have been relegated from Argentina's top flight after losing to San Lorenzo 1-0 on Saturday.

Burkina Faso, Gabon and Uganda boost hopes

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Burkina Faso won 1-0 in Congo and Gabon eased aside Niger to make the Group E fight a wide open one, while Zambia slipped up and Uganda stormed top of Group J.

HOME inaugurated as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:43:00 GMT

Brasilia-based medical centre HOME (Hospital for Orthopedics and Specialised Medicine) was officially inaugurated as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence on Friday 14 June.

All pre-FIFA Confederations Cup doping controls test negative

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:34:23 GMT

All analyses of the doping tests conducted with the players in the squad lists of the eight participating teams ahead of the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 have yielded negative results.

Torrado: We know we can compete

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:02:56 GMT

A young fringe player when Mexico lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup 14 years ago, Gerardo Torrado is a mainstay of the El Tri side that is going for glory again in Brazil. FIFA.com spoke to the midfield stalwart.

Dates set for African and European qualifying draws

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:07:04 GMT

The FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee has set the dates for the draws of the African qualifying third round and the European play-off stage.

Ambrose: A dream come true

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:00:29 GMT

In the year that has so far seen Efe Ambrose beat Barcelona with Celtic and hoist the CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy with Nigeria, the defender tells FIFA.com he is ready for big surprises at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Blatter and Rousseff meet in Rio

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:53:28 GMT

Just 24 hours before the kick-off of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter met Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff in Rio de Janeiro.

Martinez: We can't make mistakes

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:12:00 GMT

After enjoying a breakthrough season with the all-conquering Bayern Munich, Spain midfielder Javi Martinez tells FIFA.com he is now aiming to help the world champions to glory at Brazil 2013.