FIFA.com - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - News

FIFA statement on FAI request

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:03:00 GMT

FIFA has today replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland to replay their FIFA World Cup play-off match against France in Paris.

Final four win through in Europe

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:33:00 GMT

France, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece were the teams left celebrating at the end of a dramatic evening of play-off action in the European Zone.

Gallas breaks Irish hearts

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

France stumbled through to South Africa 2010 with an unconvincing 2-1 aggregate win over an excellent Republic of Ireland side in Paris.

Keane bullish about Irish chances

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:04:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland forward Robbie Keane says his team enjoys the role of underdog going into the FIFA World Cup play-off decider against France.

Henry warns against complacency

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:56:00 GMT

France still have a lot of work to do to reach South Africa 2010 according to Thierry Henry, despite a 1-0 victory over Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Coupet: Lloris is a phenomenon

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:25:00 GMT

After helping France on to the cusp of South Africa 2010 qualification, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has earned high praise from Gregory Coupet.

Trapattoni optimistic for France challenge

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:52:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni's remains defiant about his team's chances against France in Paris on Wednesday despite a first-leg deficit.

Anelka: Attack best form of defence

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:12:00 GMT

France striker Nicolas Anelka says his team need to play to win against Republic of Ireland in Wednesday's South Africa 2010 play-off.

Irish upbeat ahead of Paris showdown

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:33:00 GMT

Marco Tardelli has said that the Republic of Ireland players remain hopeful of upsetting France despite their first leg defeat in Dublin.

European qualifiers preview

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:36:00 GMT

France, Portugal and Russia will all carry one-goal advantages into the second legs of their play-offs, while Ukraine and Greece begin level in Donetsk.

Evra: The hardest part is still ahead

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:12:00 GMT

Patrice Evra chats to FIFA.com about France's 1-0 victory over Republic of Ireland in Dublin and the ensuing return leg of their play-off in Saint-Denis.

France hit by Toulalan, Abidal injuries

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:14:00 GMT

France have suffered a major blow with news that Jeremy Toulalan and Eric Abidal are ruled out of the FIFA World Cup play-off against Republic of Ireland.

Keane: We must believe

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:11:00 GMT

Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle and Thierry Henry all gave their views after France emerged from Dublin's Croke Park with a vital 1-0 first leg win.

European trio earn slender leads

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:07:00 GMT

Russia, France and Portugal emerged with narrow one-goal advantages from their play-off first legs, while Greece and Ukraine played out a 0-0 draw.

Trapattoni to make late choice

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:59:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will make a late decision between Aiden McGeady and Liam Lawrence for the first leg of the play-off with France.

Euro giants face play-off test

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:25:00 GMT

European giants including Germany 2006 runners-up France, and semi-finalists Portugal, face a test of nerves in their FIFA World Cup play-offs.

Dunne: Don't take us lightly

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne says France should not underestimate his side going into the FIFA World Cup play-off.

Toulalan doubtful for play-off

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:36:00 GMT

Lyon coach Claude Puel has said that the club's versatile France international Jeremy Toulalan is unlikely to play for Les Bleus against Republic of Ireland.

Rivals poised for play-off jousts

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:33:00 GMT

A quartet of South Africa 2010 berth remain up for grabs in Europe and will be contested by eight highly-motivated teams in a series of play-offs.

St Ledger won't get caught napping

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:50:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger is not intimidated by the prospect of trying to stop French strikers Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka.

Mental battle key for Trapattoni

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:40:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni remains confident on his team's chances going into their South Africa 2010 play-off against France.

Sagna antipates 'crazy' game

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Bacary Sagna expects a "crazy game" when France travel to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland in the first leg of their qualifying play-off on Saturday.

Who will be the play-off heroes?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:00 GMT

With five play-offs for places at South Africa 2010 set to commence, FIFA.com wants to know which players you think will star in these crunch ties.

Who will be the play-off heroes?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:00 GMT

With five play-offs for places at South Africa 2010 set to commence, FIFA.com wants to know which players you think will star in these crunch ties.

Given: We have to believe

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:59:00 GMT

Shay Given talks to FIFA.com about Republic of Ireland's upcoming play-off with France, Manchester City's ambitions and his own future.

Murphy called up

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:00 GMT

Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the FIFA World Cup play-off with France.

Vieira: I should have been picked

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:44:00 GMT

Patrick Vieira has lashed out after he was left out of the France squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifying play-offs against Republic of Ireland.

Trapattoni keeps the faith

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:22:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni has defended his decision to leave Steven Reid and Steve Finnan out of the 25-man squad for the play-off against France.

Dunne keen to play France’s villain

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:12:00 GMT

Richard Dunne has thrived since signing for Aston Villa. He will now be tasked with helping Republic of Ireland past France and into South Africa 2010.

Users expect tense battles

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:44:00 GMT

You clearly feel that the play-offs will all be tight affairs, as only a small minority consider the outcomes clear-cut before a ball has been kicked.

Ribery set to miss play-off

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:07:00 GMT

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery is facing a four-week lay-off that will keep him out of France's FIFA World Cup play-off with Republic of Ireland.

Trapattoni prepares for 'cup finals'

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:52:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will prepare his players for two "cup finals" as they attempt to dump France out of the World Cup.

Who will win the play-offs?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:43:00 GMT

In this week's Have Your Say debate, FIFA.com wants your opinions on the following question: Who will win the FIFA World Cup play-offs?

European play-offs wide open

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com analyses the four play-off ties in the European Zone by looking at the past as well as the present as South Africa 2010 looms ever closer.

Play-off octet learn their fate

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:14:00 GMT

The much-anticipated draw for the European Zone 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying play-offs has taken place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

St Ledger: We'll silence our critics

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:52:00 GMT

Sean St Ledger has said that Republic of Ireland can silence their domestic critics by emerging triumphant from their FIFA World Cup play-off.

Trapattoni unfazed by play-offs

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:12:00 GMT

Giovanni Trapattoni is confident his Republic of Ireland side can make it through the play-offs to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Seeded four set for play-off draw

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:51:00 GMT

France, Greece, Portugal and Russia will be the seeded teams when the draw for the European Zone play-offs for South Africa 2010 takes place.

Celebrations for Swiss, Slovaks

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:42:00 GMT

Switzerland and Slovakia seized Europe's last two automatic berths in South Africa, while Portugal, Greece, Slovenia and Ukraine made the play-offs.

Montenegro hold Irish in Dublin

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:20:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland dominated possession at home to Montenegro, but the Group 8 runners-up had to settle for their sixth draw in ten qualifiers.

Centurion Given targets results

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Shay Given has said that getting results is all that matters as he and Republic of Ireland colleague Kevin Kilbane prepare to win their 100 caps.

Two tickets on offer in Europe

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:09:00 GMT

Switzerland, Greece, Slovakia and Slovenia head into Wednesday's final qualifiers hoping to claim the two remaining direct tickets to South Africa.

Duff fit for action

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Fulham winger Damien Duff has rejoined the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of Wednesday night's final South Africa 2010 qualifier against Montenegro.

Unconvincing, but ominous Italy

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:57:00 GMT

Italy have qualified for South Africa 2010 and will start the competition amongst the favourites, but this was far from a comfortable cruise to the finals.

Trapattoni: Lack of experience cost us

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:06:00 GMT

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni urged his team to learn from their painful lesson after Italy snatched victory from their grasp.

European quartet stamp tickets

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Italy, Germany, Denmark and Serbia all sealed their places at South Africa 2010 with positive results during Saturday's nervy round of qualifiers.

Gilardino secures Italy's spot

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:46:00 GMT

A last-minute goal from Alberto Gilardino earned Italy a 2-2 draw with the Republic of Ireland and guaranteed the world champions qualification.

McGeady relishing Italian duel

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:49:00 GMT

Aiden McGeady is desperate to emerge victorious from "one of the biggest" games of his career against Italy, and help Republic of Ireland qualify.

European qualifiers preview

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

Ten tickets to South Africa remain up for grabs in Europe, where crucial games are set to unfold in Athens, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon and Moscow.

Given: We want to finish top

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:15:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks to Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given and coach Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of their final qualifiers with Italy and Montenegro.

Kilbane inspired by new generation

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:33:00 GMT

On the verge of a century of caps Republic of Ireland defender Kevin Kilbane says he is buoyed by the fresh young talent in the national team set-up.