FIFA.com - News

Benitez buries hatchet with Capello

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:48:00 GMT

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed he has spoken to England coach Fabio Capello over Steven Gerrard's groin operation.

Fabregas in, Raul out for Spain

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:34:00 GMT

Cesc Fabregas has been recalled to the Spain squad for their upcoming South Africa 2010 qualifiers, but there was no place for Raul or Bojan.

Ballack, Frings back for Germany

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:28:00 GMT

Midfielders Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings will return for Germany in next month's FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Finland.

Ivorian Olympians' sights on South Africa

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:39:00 GMT

Six players from Côte d'Ivoire's impressive Olympic squad have been rewarded with places in the senior pool to face Mozambique on 7 September.

Foreign contingent dominate Bulgaria squad

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:33:00 GMT

Bulgaria coach Plamen Markov included only six home-based players in his squad for their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.

Japan call on Oguro

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:10:00 GMT

Japan have called up former Torino striker Masashi Oguro and two young defenders for their opening Round 4 qualifier against Bahrain.

Moment of truth for giant-killers

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:28:00 GMT

Dynamos of Zimbabwe have been the sensation of this year's CAF Champions League, but they face a tough challenge on Saturday at home.

Haggui: We're in danger

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:06:00 GMT

With Tunisia soon to face a vital test in Burkina Faso, the Carthage Eagles defender spoke to FIFA.com about their hopes for South Africa 2010.

Egyptians seek semi spot

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:53:00 GMT

All eyes will be on Al Ahly when they play Dynamos to see if they will be the first team to reach the last four of the Champions League.

Scharner out of Austria squad

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:55:00 GMT

Defender Paul Scharner, struggling with an ankle injury, is the most striking omission from the Austrian squad set to face France and Lithuania.

Excitement grows as kick-off looms

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:36:00 GMT

With exactly two months to go until the first ball is kicked in the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, preparations are moving up a gear.

Sven leaves Franco out

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:07:00 GMT

Sven-Goran Eriksson dropped striker Guillermo Franco of Villarreal when he named his squad for Mexico's qualifiers against Jamaica and Canada.

Queiroz includes Maniche

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:42:00 GMT

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz recalled in-form midfielder Maniche on Thursday as he named his 23-man squad for next month's qualifiers.

Trap names Ireland squad

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:52:00 GMT

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni named his 22-man squad on Thursday for their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifiers next month.

Hitzfeld snubs unfit Senderos

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:43:00 GMT

Swiss coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has left AC Milan's Philippe Senderos out of his squad for next month's qualifyiers against Israel and Luxembourg.

Ben Arfa and Nasri back for France

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:38:00 GMT

French coach Raymond Domenech on Thursday unveiled his squad for qualifiers against Austria on 6 September and Serbia four days later.

Georgia-Republic of Ireland to take place in Mainz

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:02:00 GMT

The South Africa 2010 qualifier between Georgia and Republic of Ireland will take place in the neutral venue of Mainz, Germany due to unrest in Georgia.

T&T back on the rise

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:42:00 GMT

Two wins on the trot, and a climb to the top of their South Africa 2010 qualifying group, have Trinidad and Tobago flying up the global standings.

Gerrard set to miss qualifiers

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:28:00 GMT

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will require a groin operation which may keep him out of England's opening FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Booth wins Bafana recall

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:15:00 GMT

Defender Matthew Booth has won a recall to South Africa for the first time in three years, being named for a qualifier against Nigeria next month.

Bilic names weakened squad

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:39:00 GMT

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic on Wednesday named a 22-man squad for FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers against Kazakhstan and England.

Kewell earns Aussie recall

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:18:00 GMT

Pim Verbeek named Harry Kewell in a 27-man provisional squad for Australia's FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Uzbekistan on 10 September.

Worthington reveals his squad

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:29:00 GMT

Nigel Worthington has named his Northern Ireland squad for next month's South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Maloney back for Scotland

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:02:00 GMT

Scotland coach George Burley has recalled Shaun Maloney to his squad for their South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland.

McClaren: England's problems won't go away

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:24:00 GMT

Steve McClaren has warned England manager Fabio Capello that the problems in the England side may take considerable time to solve.

Lagerback names 22-man squad

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:06:00 GMT

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback has named a 22-man squad for the Swedes' crucial opening European qualifying games for South Africa 2010.

Cherundolo eyes twin wins

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:42:00 GMT

In the build-up to the USA’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago, FIFA.com spoke to defender Steven Cherundolo.

What is your Olympic dream team?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:25:00 GMT

In an Olympic tournament that featured plenty of fine football, FIFA.com wants to know who you would choose in your team of the tournament.

Antic hopeful of Serbian success

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:48:00 GMT

Serbia coach Radomir Antic has said that he believes an injection of fresh blood would help his team make a good start to their FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Nakamura to spearhead Japan's bid

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:31:00 GMT

Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura will spearhead Japan against Bahrain in the opening fixture of the final qualifying round in Asia.

Israeli double act's shared vision

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:25:00 GMT

In an exclusive double interview, FIFA.com spoke to Borussia Monchengladbach's Israel internationals Roberto Colautti and Gal Alberman.

Macala relishing Japan rematch

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:18:00 GMT

Czech coach Milan Macala led his Bahrain side to a surprise win over Japan in the third qualifying round, and is hoping for a repeat in September.

D'Alessandro earns Argentina recall

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:43:00 GMT

Andres D'Alessandro has been recalled by Argentina for next month's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.

Di Maria, Argentine guardian Angel

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:44:00 GMT

The scorer of the Albiceleste's gold-clinching goal spoke to FIFA.com about his joy at winning the Olympics and stepping up to the senior team.

Nigerian pride in silver lining

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with a few of the silver medal-winning Nigerians after their narrow loss to Argentina in Saturday's Beijing final.

Golden moment for Argentina

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:51:00 GMT

FIFA.com spoke to Javier Mascherano, Roman Riquelme, Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi and gauged their reactions to striking Olympic gold.

Angel delivers Argentina gold

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:49:00 GMT

A lone goal from Angel Di Maria saw Argentina pick up their second straight Olympic gold, beating Nigeria 1-0 in Beijing on Saturday.

Toshack gambles on Bellamy's fitness

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wales manager John Toshack has picked Craig Bellamy for next month's qualifiers even though the striker is yet to play this season.

Bronze not Brazil's favourite colour

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:10:00 GMT

Although they will be going home with a medal, third place was not what the Brazilian public were expecting of their Men's Olympic team.

Becks targets Wembley fortress

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:37:00 GMT

David Beckham insists England will reach their potential under Fabio Capello, but he believes they need to turn Wembley into a fortress.

Messi: No favourites in a final

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:12:00 GMT

Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com, the Argentina star explains why victory over Nigeria in the Olympic final would fulfil a lifelong dream.

Jo stars as Brazil claim bronze

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:00 GMT

A Diego strike and a brace from Jo gave Brazil their second bronze medal in four Olympics following a 3-0 win over Belgium in Shanghai.

Sun Wen lauds women’s progress

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:56:00 GMT

Former China ace Sun Wen speaks to FIFA.com about the improvements in international women's football from her new position in Shanghai.

Nigeria and Argentina meet again

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:15:00 GMT

Argentina meet Nigeria in the Olympic Football Tournament final on Saturday, a re-run of the legendary gold medal decider in 1996.

Difficult future for Brazil after defeat

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:08:00 GMT

Brazil's third successive defeat in the final of a major women's tournament has prompted reflections about the state of the game back home.

96ers await Beijing replay

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:39:00 GMT

Ahead of a classic re-match, FIFA.com talks to a pair of stars from the unforgettable 1996 gold-medal game between Nigeria and Argentina.

A clash with a history

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:30:00 GMT

Argentina coach Sergio Batista is adamant that his team will not be distracted by thoughts of revenge for 1996 in Saturday's Olympic final.

Brazil the bridesmaids again

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:50:00 GMT

After suffering another painful Olympic final defeat, Brazil face a period of restructuring. "We need to work with the clubs," says their coach.

Golden girls savour the flavour

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:40:00 GMT

The US women won their second straight Olympic gold medal on Thursday in Beijing. FIFA.com shared the moment with a few of the champions.

Déjà vu for dynastic US

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:29:00 GMT

The Americans took the coveted gold medal in Beijing on Thursday in extra time against Brazil, just like they did four years ago in Athens.

Siasia: We've been through hell

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:26:00 GMT

On the eve of the final with Argentina, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia speaks exclusively to FIFA.com about his side's successes and struggles.