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.

Prandelli: We're aiming for first

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:18:00 GMT

"We’re Italy and naturally, with the greatest respect to the other sides in the group, we’re aiming to finish in first place," Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach

Italy relishing success once again

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:27:00 GMT

Since crashing out at the group stage at South Africa 2010, Italy have revamped their squad and will look to top Group B in Europe, with Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria their toughest opponents in the section.

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.

The spirit of Queretaro returns

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:08:00 GMT

Germany's senior side of 1986 and current U-17s have something in common: being based in Queretaro at a world finals. FIFA.com chats to Toni Schumacher and Olaf Thon about the location.

A tournament of firsts

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:13:00 GMT

South Africa 2010 was bursting with unprecedented events in a whole range of areas, from team results to player landmarks. FIFA.com now takes you through a full list of firsts.

South Africa 2010: 32 teams, 32 stories

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:13:00 GMT

Join FIFA.com as we take a look back at all of the 32 sides that contributed to the football extravaganza that was South Africa 2010.

The adidas Golden Ball: a look back

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:05:00 GMT

The adidas Golden Ball is just days away from being announced. FIFA.com takes a trip down memory lane to recall previous winners of the accolade.

Groin problems worry Bendtner

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:53:00 GMT

Arsenal's Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner has admitted that he is struggling to shake off his persistent groin injury before the English Premier League season starts.

All the right moves

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com's Move of the Day section showcases all the best examples of top-class individual technique exhibited by the biggest names in FIFA World Cups™ present and past.

Spurs swoop for Kjaer, Cavani

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:09:00 GMT

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed Tottenham have made a €35m bid for star duo Simon Kjaer and Edinson Cavani

Schmeichel: Denmark lacked fight

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:57:00 GMT

Denmark legend speaks to FIFA.com about the Danes' disappointing showing at South Africa 2010 and his conversion to penalty research by the Castrol EDGE Penalty Analysis tool.

Upsets galore as Europe’s finest struggle

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:49:00 GMT

A FIFA World Cup™ group stage tends to be fertile ground for surprises, and so it has proved at South Africa 2010.

Okazaki up for the fight

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:40:00 GMT

Shinji Okazaki has warned Paraguay that Japan have "nothing to lose" as they bid for a historic place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

Dutch comfort, Japanese firecrackers

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:22:00 GMT

Group E saw a traditional European power advance with three wins, while Denmark and Cameroon both suffered disappointment at the hands of Japan.

Honda not satisfied with last 16 spot

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:54:00 GMT

Japan's Keisuke Honda was left confused by his emotions after admitting he was not really happy despite helping his country reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

Danish Dynamite fails to ignite

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:16:00 GMT

The Scandinavians had set their sights high before embarking on their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ adventure only to be hauled back down to earth with their early exit from the competition.

Okada credits opening victory

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:09:00 GMT

Takeshi Okada believes that Japan's progress into the second round of the FIFA World Cup was down to winning their opening match.

Japan eye bigger prize

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:55:00 GMT

Budweiser Man of the Match Keisuke Honda and Japan coach Takeshi Okada both indicated that they were happy but not satisfied with their advancement to the last 16.

New low for Italy, long-playing Song

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:30:00 GMT

FIFA.com's statistics show that Italy's 2010 campaign will go down as their worst. Cameroon are also heading for home but only after Rigobert Song made history.

Mixed displays from septet

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:55:00 GMT

New Zealand's Tommy Smith, Miroslav Stoch of Slovakia and Cameroonian Vincent Aboubakar made positive impressions as Groups E and F were wrapped up.

Misery for Italy on historic day

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:52:00 GMT

Japan, Paraguay and Slovakia clinched places in the Round of 16 on a day that will be best remembered for Italy, the reigning champions, missing out on the knockout phase.

Clinical Japan cruise past Danes

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:29:00 GMT

Japan made history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time on foreign soil, eliminating Denmark in the process with a 3-1 win in Rustenburg.

Olsen surprised by Japan tactical shift

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:18:00 GMT

Denmark coach Morten Olsen noted that Japan, his team's opponent in their final group match on Thursday, have made a change of tactics for South Africa 2010.

Holders Italy under the spotlight

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Italy are living dangerously as they enter their final Group F match against Slovakia still seeking a first win, while in Group E Denmark look to leapfrog Japan.

Denmark-Japan preview

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:53:00 GMT

Japan and Denmark have everything to play for in their Group E finale, with a winner assured of a trip to the Round of 16 and a loser having to settle for a trip home.

Japan not thinking about a draw

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:42:00 GMT

Coach Takeshi Okada said that his Japan side will "start the match trying to win" when the meet up with Denmark in their final group match.

Bendtner doubtful for Japan clash

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:03:00 GMT

Denmark coach Morten Olsen declared star striker Nicklas Bendtner to be "doubtful" for their must-win match against Japan.

Laursen: Injuries haven't helped us

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:27:00 GMT

Ex-Denmark defender Martin Laursen talks to FIFA.com about his country's run of injuries leading up to South Africa 2010 and striker Nicklas Bendtner's importance.

History beckons for 2010's golden boy

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:22:00 GMT

Gonzalo Higuain currently leads the likes of Luis Fabiano, David Villa and Diego Forlan in the race to become South Africa 2010's top scorer. We take a closer look at the contenders.

Okada predicts bruising match

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:12:00 GMT

Japan coach Takeshi Okada expects a tough, physical challenge when his team take on the much-taller Danes in their final group match.

Referee designations: matches 41-48

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:02:00 GMT

Howard Webb has been handed his second match of South Africa 2010 after being named the man in the middle for the game between Slovakia and Italy at Ellis Park.

More goals, less success?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:16:00 GMT

A high-scoring win at the FIFA World Cup is no guarantee of success, as FIFA.com reveals with a look back through the archives.

Hasebe: Okada demands focus

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:10:00 GMT

Japan captain Makoto Hasebe has revealed coach Takeshi Okada has urged his players to put everything on the line in Thursday's clash with Denmark.

Olsen draws strength from Danish desire

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Coach Morten Olsen and forward Nicklas Bendtner underlined the determination in the Denmark camp as they looked ahead to facing Japan.

'Final' opportunity for Danes

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:50:00 GMT

Denmark coach Morten Olsen called their FIFA World Cup™ clash against Japan a "decisive" game and hoped it would be the first final for his team.

'Chance of a lifetime' for Japan

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:48:00 GMT

The stakes are high for Japan as they prepare to face Denmark in their final group match, and coach Takeshi Okada knows how rare this chance can be.

Agger struggles to find positives

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:10:00 GMT

Denmark may have got the three points against Cameroon, but defender Daniel Agger felt that was one of the few positives his side could take from match.

Okubo eyes Japan's 'big chance'

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:05:00 GMT

Yoshito Okubo told FIFA.com that Japan were on course to claim a last-16 place if they can reproduce their performance against the Netherlands.

Luckless Lions sound lament

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:58:00 GMT

Cameroon’s South Africa 2010 hopes ended against Denmark on Saturday evening, prompting a painful inquest for the Indomitable Lions.

Heartbreak of a lifetime for Eto'o

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:34:00 GMT

Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o described his team's early exit from South Africa 2010 as the biggest disappointment of his career.

Olsen sees plenty to work on

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:01:00 GMT

Denmark coach Morten Olsen felt good about the spirit his side showed during their 2-1 win over Cameroon but also sees plenty to improve.

Group E: State of play

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:02:00 GMT

With the Netherlands the first team into the last 16 and Cameroon the first eliminated, Japan and Denmark will scrap it out for the remaining qualifying place.

Africa's century, Australia's red mist

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:02:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes its regular look at the South Africa 2010 stats on a day that saw African teams reach a landmark and Australia continue an unwanted tradition.

Danish fightback crushes Cameroon

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:41:00 GMT

Dennis Rommedahl hit a second-half winner as Denmark came back from a goal down to beat Cameroon 2-1 in Pretoria and eliminate the Indomitable Lions.

Dutch soar as Cameroon slump

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 21:39:00 GMT

Day 9 saw the Netherlands reach the last 16 thanks to their win over Japan and Denmark's defeat of a Cameroon side who became the first side eliminated.

Eto'o rallies Cameroon troops

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:18:00 GMT

Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has urged his team-mates to ensure they have no regrets when they leave the pitch following tonight's potentially crucial clash against Denmark in Pretoria.

Can Lions roar, Aussies bounce back?

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Group E rivals Cameroon and Denmark have no margin for error in their meeting in Durban and the same goes for an Australia side facing Ghana.

Bendtner participation a miracle, says Olsen

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:55:00 GMT

Denmark coach Morten Olsen said that they have to be careful with Nicklas Bendtner, who continues to struggle with a groin injury.

Le Guen calls on Lions to roar

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:13:00 GMT

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen has called on his team to live up to their nickname and produce a lion-hearted performance against Denmark in Pretoria on Saturday.

Kjaer's call to arms

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:21:00 GMT

Denmark defender Simon Kjaer tells FIFA why Morten Olsen's team must "show we can handle the pressure" as they seek three points against Cameroon.