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

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.

Mellberg delivers for Sweden

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:35:00 GMT

Olof Mellberg scored twice as Sweden won their final South Africa 2010 qualifier, but events elsewhere meant their bid for qualification reached its end.

Lagerback: Sweden need fresh start

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:11:00 GMT

Sweden coach Lars Lagerback has admitted that the team are likely to benefit from a "fresh start"once the South Africa 2010 qualifiers are over.

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.

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.

Danes beat Swedes to secure spot

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:24:00 GMT

Former European champions Denmark secured automatic qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa finals after beating Sweden 1-0.

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.

Tomasson: I want to make history

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:58:00 GMT

Denmark captain Jon Dahl Tomasson speaks to FIFA.com about his pursuit of records and desire to help his country return to the FIFA World Cup.

Crisis times for goal-shy Portugal

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:28:00 GMT

Despite boasting the reigning FIFA World Player Cristiano Ronaldo among other talents, Portugal face an uphill struggle to reach South Africa 2010.

Sweden eke out crucial victory

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:19:00 GMT

A late Ian Azzopardi own goal grabbed Sweden a 1-0 success away to tailenders Malta that lifted their hopes of advancing from a competitive pool.

England and Serbia on the verge

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:54:00 GMT

England and Serbia will have the chance to reach South Africa 2010 in midweek, while Denmark, Slovakia and Spain could also secure qualification.

Swedes surge as France flounder

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:32:00 GMT

Sweden gave some much-needed impetus to their qualification hopes with a win over Hungary, while France could only draw with Romania at home.

Last-gasp Ibra stuns Hungary

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored an 11th-hour winner to break Hungarian hearts and propel Sweden back into contention for a top-two finish in Group 1.

Tiago plots Denmark revenge

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:20:00 GMT

Portugal midfielder Tiago is confident the team will not suffer a repeat of last year's capitulation against Denmark when the two nations meet again.

Big names face decisive duels

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Portugal, Sweden, France and Czech Republic are all under pressure to claim maximum points as they limber up for vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

England, Serbia edge ever closer

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:20:00 GMT

England took a big step towards next year's finals in South Africa with an emphatic win over Andorra while Serbia and Russia did their hopes no harm.

Changes in attack for Sweden

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:08:00 GMT

Johan Elmander has followed Markus Rosenberg and Henrik Larsson in pulling out of the Sweden squad for their qualifier against Malta.

Mission to join the Dutch

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:56:00 GMT

A crop of European teams could put one hand on a place at South Africa 2010 in midweek, while others will attempt to improve their slim chances.

Safe passage for Netherlands

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:56:00 GMT

The Netherlands became the first European side to book passage to South Africa as England, Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia moved closer to the finals.

Danes slip past Sweden

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:33:00 GMT

Thomas Kahlenberg scored as Denmark beat Sweden to open up a three-point lead at the top in Group 1 of European Zone qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

Stakes high for Group 1 rivals

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:42:00 GMT

Lars Lagerback, Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Queiroz have been speaking ahead of vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers involving their respective sides.

Dutch close in as neighbours clash

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:57:00 GMT

In Europe, the Netherlands know that a win in Iceland will guarantee a spot in South Africa, while Sweden square up to Nordic neighbours Demark.

Hutchinson receives Malta call-up

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:27:00 GMT

Central Coast Mariners midfielder John Hutchinson has been called up to the Maltese national team for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Olsen: Pride and glory

Tue, 05 May 2009 11:24:00 GMT

Morten Olsen, high-flying Denmark's long-serving coach, speaks exclusively to FIFA.com to share his FIFA World Cup memories and hopes for 2010.

Points to make in Europe

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:14:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the latest set of European Zone qualifiers, which include crucial games in a wide open Group 1, and tests for some big names.

Deco almost certain for Swede test

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:49:00 GMT

Deco is almost certain to play for Portugal in their qualifier against Sweden, just two weeks after Chelsea hinted that his season could be over.

Determining Europe's runners-up

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:17:00 GMT

FIFA has revealed the criteria that will determine the eight best runners-up in the group phase of European Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Fast starters eye nine from nine

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:09:00 GMT

England, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Ukraine and Spain will hope to make it three wins in a row, but the pressure is on Croatia, France and Portugal.

Youngsters lead Danish renaissance

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:27:00 GMT

After an astonishing last-gasp triumph in Portugal, resurgent Denmark have their sights set on a fourth FIFA World Cup finals appearance.

Trebles steal the headlines

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:24:00 GMT

Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick to inspire England to a 4-1 win in Croatia, while Miroslav Klose's treble saved Germany from defeat in Finland.

All eyes on Zagreb

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:24:00 GMT

England face a tough test against bogey side Croatia in the pick of Wednesday evening's FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in Europe.

European qualifiers taking shape

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT

The European teams have been busy drawing up a fixture list, with the matchdays for Groups 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 now set in stone.

Portugal face twin Nordic threat

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:48:00 GMT

Portugal will go into qualifying for South Africa 2010 as favourites to top Group 1 although they can expect tough competition.

Europe stirs preliminary passions

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:39:00 GMT

In our feature examining the history of FIFA World Cup preliminaries, FIFA.com reflects on Europe's most memorable and dramatic qualifiers.