FIFA.com - News

European qualifying fixtures announced

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:52:00 GMT

All but two of the Groups in European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014 have had their fixtures finalised, with England, France, Italy and Spain starting out away to Moldova, Finland, Bulgaria and Georgia respectively.

Levein: We have homework to do

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:12:00 GMT

"It could have been worse. With a draw like this we’ll have a lot of homework to do in preparation for the matches, and I wouldn’t dare to make any predictions at this early stage. I have faith in my team," Craig Levein, Scotland manager

Wide open in Group A

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:46:00 GMT

Group A is possibly the hardest to call out of all the European qualifiers, with every team no doubt thinking they at least have a chance of a play-off spot, and no game looking like an easy asking.

Drama and derbies await in Europe

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:37:00 GMT

The draw for the European zone yielded some potentially thrilling sections, with local rivalries set to be stirred and the world champions left to do battle with another winner of football's ultimate prize.

Bilic to stay on

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:24:00 GMT

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has said that he will not resign despite his side's failure to secure qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

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.

Capello: I'm happy

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:08:00 GMT

Fabio Capello insisted England could rule the world after they booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup with a dominant 5-1 victory against Croatia.

England, Spain cruise through

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:02:00 GMT

England and Spain sealed tickets to South Africa 2010 in style, while Portugal threw themselves a lifeline and Slovakia sprinted towards qualification.

Bilic: England can rule the world

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:53:00 GMT

Slaven Bilic has said in-form England could win South Africa 2010 after seeing his Croatia side lose 5-1 to Fabio Capello's men at Wembley.

England dare to dream again

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at England's successful qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010, which culminated in an outstanding 5-1 victory at home to Croatia.

Five-star England qualify in style

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:11:00 GMT

England exacted the perfect revenge on Croatia with a 5-1 victory that secured Fabio Capello's side a place at South Africa 2010.

Capello thanks Bilic for inspiration

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:13:00 GMT

Fabio Capello believes England have been given extra motivation for their FIFA World Cup qualifier by the comments of Croatian coach Slaven Bilic.

Bilic: Eduardo can handle jeers

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:51:00 GMT

Croatia boss Slaven Bilic insists Eduardo is big enough to face the jeers from England fans at Wembley following the diving row of two weeks ago.

Decision time for Capello

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:03:00 GMT

Fabio Capello knows whether Jermain Defoe or Emile Heskey will partner Wayne Rooney against Croatia, who he regards as dangerous opponents.

Klasnic backed to shine

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:18:00 GMT

Croatia's Ivan Klasnic has the ability to punish England in their South Africa 2010 qualifier, according to Bolton Wanderers assistant manager Chris Evans.

Lampard hails striking options

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:43:00 GMT

Frank Lampard has discussed the battle between Jermain Defoe and Emile Heskey to lead England's line against Croatia, and applauded Glen Johnson.

Beckham talks return to Europe

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:21:00 GMT

David Beckham has said he will return to Europe once the current MLS campaign finishes, and will consider a return to the English Premier League.

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.

Lampard: We've made great strides

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:47:00 GMT

England have improved significantly since Croatia quashed their UEFA EURO 2008 dream according to Frank Lampard., who has praised Slaven Bilic.

Bilic claims England weaknesses

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:37:00 GMT

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic says he knows England's Achilles heel as his team this week attempt to repeat their famous win at England in 2007.

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.

Croatia keep hopes alive

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:24:00 GMT

Ivan Rakitic was the hero as Croatia secured a win over Belarus to pull away from Ukraine and move four points adrift of leaders England in Group 6.

England edge Slovenia at Wembley

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:52:00 GMT

England warmed up for their crunch game against Croatia by beating Slovenia 2-1, Jermain Defoe scoring what proved to be the winning goal.

Bilic: We'll miss Modric

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has admitted that Luka Modric is a huge loss ahead of their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying double header.

Capello keen to stay on

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:21:00 GMT

Fabio Capello has said that he intends to stay on beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa remain in place as England manager until 2012.

Ronaldo faces World Cup heartbreak

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:41:00 GMT

A massive week of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches loom in Europe with Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team facing the prospect of elimination.

Cole looking for another level

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:06:00 GMT

Carlton Cole believes he needs to make further improvements to book a ticket to South Africa, and praised Gianfranco Zola's impact on his game.

Beckham puts trust in Capello

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:58:00 GMT

David Beckham says that the mentality coach Fabio Capello has instilled in the England camp has the team on track for South Africa 2010 success.

Capello keeps Owen in exile

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:56:00 GMT

England coach Fabio Capello has left Manchester United's Michael Owen out of his squad for the upcoming matches against Slovenia and Croatia.

Stange names Belarus squad

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:13:00 GMT

Belarus coach Bernd Stange has named his squad for their South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Croatia in Zagreb and Ukraine in Minsk.

Capello: We can beat anyone

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:47:00 GMT

Fabio Capello points to Wayne Rooney and England's lack of fear when citing the differences between now and the last time Croatia played at Wembley.

Ferdinand out for England

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:39:00 GMT

Rio Ferdinand will miss England's FIFA World Cup qualifier with Croatia, after he was ruled out of action for three to four weeks with a thigh injury.

Olic inspires Croatia win

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:01:00 GMT

Ivica Olic grabbed a double as Croatia kept in touch with England with a vital 3-1 qualifying win over Belarus in European Zone Group 6.

Big guns deliver as Norway dazzle

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Norway were the day's big winners with a 4-0 victory over Scotland, while Germany and France both edged closer to a place at South Africa 2010.

Simunic: Victory is crucial

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:37:00 GMT

Croatia defender Josip Simunic talks to FIFA.com about the need to beat Belarus home and away before he can start dreaming of South Africa.

Race resumes in Europe

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:09:00 GMT

Norway and Belarus will host Scotland and Croatia respectively amid high stakes, while France and Germany can ill-afford to stumble on their travels.

Capello: Injuries concern me

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:22:00 GMT

In an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, Fabio Capello discussed the importance of avoiding injuries at major tournaments and England's emerging talent.

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.

Croatia rally to retain second

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:23:00 GMT

Croatia came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Ukraine and retain second place in Group 6 of European Zone qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

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.

Olic: Nothing's decided yet

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:24:00 GMT

FIFA.com has spoken to Ivica Olic about Croatia’s forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and his new challenge at club level at Bayern Munich.

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.

Points mean pride for Andorra

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:11:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from Andorra coach David Rodrigo on the challenge of ensuring that this tiny nation punches above its weight in European qualifying.

Serious business for Rakitic

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:30:00 GMT

The influential Ivan Rakitic tells FIFA.com that Croatia are not overlooking Andorra as they attempt to catch England in their qualifying group.

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.

Fearsome foursome lead the way

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:10:00 GMT

Four teams have maintained a perfect record on the first three matchdays of European qualifying for South Africa 2010. Can they keep it up?

Modric struggling to find form

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:25:00 GMT

After excelling at UEFA EURO 2008, Luka Modric admits that his performances have dipped dramatically since his summer move to England.

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.