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.

Croatia fail to qualify

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:33:00 GMT

Despite Niko Kranjcar's winner against Kazakhstan, Croatia were left to count the cost of two defeats to England as they failed to qualify for South Africa.

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.

Kalachev proves coach Stange right

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:17:00 GMT

Belarus completed their home fixtures in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying Group 6 with a comprehensive defeat of Kazakhstan in Brest.

Kazakhstan secure second win

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Kazakhstan completed the double over Andorra tonight with a 3-1 win in Andorra La Vella in Group 6 of the European qualifying zone.

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.

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.

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.

Heskey hails Rooney the great

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:02:00 GMT

Emile Heskey has labelled Wayne Rooney a "great player", but believes England will be given a stiff examination by Andorra at Wembley.

Barry lauds Lampard partnership

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Gareth Barry, a goalscorer in England's 4-0 win over Kazakhstan, has said that he is loving playing in a new deep-lying role alongside Frank Lampard.

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.

England cruise in Kazakhstan

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:37:00 GMT

Goals from Gareth Barry, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Emile Heskey gave Fabio Capello's England a comfortable 4-0 win in Almaty.

Capello bullish on England prospects

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:19:00 GMT

Fabio Capello has spoken of the "big confidence" he has in his England players to perform well at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

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.

Rooney hits new England high

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:56:00 GMT

Wayne Rooney has enjoyed a new lease of life in an England shirt since the arrival of Fabio Capello and is currently on a prolific goalscoring run.

Lampard warns against complacency

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:10:00 GMT

England will not take Kazakhstan lightly according to Frank Lampard, who has urged his team to strenghten their grip on a place in South Africa.

Cahill in for Ferdinand

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:41:00 GMT

Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan and Bolton's Gary Cahill has received a shock call-up.

England face goalkeeper crises

Tue, 19 May 2009 07:39:00 GMT

Injuries to David James and Ben Foster have left England manager Fabio Capello with a goalkeeper crises for next month's FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Flawless trio aim for more

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:38:00 GMT

Spain, England and Netherlands have won all their games to date and are out to consolidate their leads on matchday six in the European Zone.

Stork takes over Kazakhstan

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:17:00 GMT

Berndt Stork was appointed Kazakhstan new national coach on Friday, the country football federation's press service announced.

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.

Rooney ready for utility role

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:38:00 GMT

Wayne Rooney has told Fabio Capello he is prepared to sacrifice his attacking ambitions to be the England manager's utility man.

Capello: Tougher test ahead

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:26:00 GMT

Fabio Capello has sounded a note of warning ahead of England's trip to Belarus on Wednesday, after an unimpressive win over Kazakhstan.

England hit five but fail to shine

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:24:00 GMT

England made it three out of three with a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan which was nothing like as convincing as the scoreline suggested.

Capello lays down law to Gerrard

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:47:00 GMT

England coach Fabio Capello has called Steven Gerrard a "fantastic player", but reiterated that he will not build his team around the Liverpool ace.

Capello demands encore as Terry drops out

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:19:00 GMT

Fabio Capello has warned England that their impressive win in Croatia last month will count for nothing if they fail to beat Kazakhstan's mystery men.

Heskey on returning and Rooney

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:45:00 GMT

After an impressive display against Croatia, England striker Emile Heskey has revealed that he is delighted to be back on international duty.

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.

O'Neill warns Capello on Barry

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:41:00 GMT

Martin O'Neill has urged Fabio Capello not to axe Gareth Barry from the England line-up as Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard prepare to return.

Kazakhstan sack Pijpers

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:08:00 GMT

It was announced today that Kazakhstan's Dutch coach, 49-year-old Arno Pijpers, has been relieved of his duties by the country's FA.

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.

Croatia count on French contingent

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:16:00 GMT

Following in the footsteps of Josip Skoblar, Alen Boksic and Aljosa Asanovic, a new generation of Croatians are making Ligue 1 their home.

Ostapenko shoots down Andorra

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:56:00 GMT

Sergei Ostapenko scored twice to drive Kazakhstan to a 3-0 win over Andorra as European Zone qualifying to South Africa 2010 began.

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.

England handed revenge mission

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:01:00 GMT

England have the chance for revenge against Croatia, their nemesis in UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying, after the sides were drawn together.

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.