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.

Stange: Don't take Belarus lightly

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:21:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from Bernd Stange, the German coach currently masterminding the meteoric rise of a Belarus side currently challenging France for a place at UEFA EURO 2012.

Del Bosque: We can’t focus just on France

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:12:00 GMT

“I’m not euphoric but I’m not sad either. We need to accept it because that’s the way fate wanted it, and we’ll live with the consequences,” Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach.

Champions draw early French test

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:28:00 GMT

On the road to Brazil 2014, all eyes will be on the heavyweight battle between France and Spain in qualifying Group I of the European region, while Belarus, Georgia and Finland complete 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.

Del Bosque warns against French focus

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:01:00 GMT

Holders Spain were handed a daunting opponent in France at Saturday's Preliminary Draw but their coach Vicente del Bosque told FIFA.com that his world champions would be wrong to focus just on the French in Group I.

Ballack slams German jeer squad

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:58:00 GMT

Michael Ballack slammed the reaction of some of Germany's fans after his side endured a barrage of boos during their disappointing draw with Finland.

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.

Podolski rescues Germany

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:58:00 GMT

Group 4 leaders Germany needed a late goal by Lukas Podolski as they snatched a draw at home to Finland in their final South Africa 2010 qualifier.

Lahm understands fans' frustration

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Philipp Lahm has spoken about Germany's inability to beat Finland, and revealed that he understands the supporters' boos that greeted the final whistle.

Low set to blood rising stars

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:25:00 GMT

Coach Joachim Low is likely to give fringe players an opportunity to shine when Germany face Finland on Wednesday in their final South Africa 2010 qualifier.

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.

Ballack doubt for Germany

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:12:00 GMT

Michael Ballack is doubtful for Wednesday's final South Africa 2010 qualifier against Finland after sustaining an ankle injury in Russia last night.

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.

Finland see off Wales

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:29:00 GMT

Goals from Roni Porokara and Niklas Moisander handed Finland a 2-1 Group 4 win over Wales, for whom Craig Bellamy was the player on target.

Finnish hopes end in Vaduz

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:37:00 GMT

Despite taking a 73rd-minute lead, Finland were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in Liechtenstein that ended their qualification chances.

No room for error in Group 4

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Germany and Russia will hope to avoid any costly slip-ups when they meet Azerbaijan and Wales respectively in FIFA World Cup qualifying action.

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.

Pasanen completes Finnish fightback

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:07:00 GMT

After falling behind in Azerbaijan, a late Petri Pasanen goal snatched Finland a 2-1 win that maintained their slim chances of reaching South Africa 2010.

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.

Russia close in on Germany

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:53:00 GMT

Aleksandr Kerzhakov struck twice as Russia won 3-0 in Finland in their South Africa 2010 qualifier to move to within a point of group leaders Germany.

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.

Pivotal battle in Helsinki

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

Russia need to win in Finland to keep their destiny in their own hands, but their hosts require victory to preserve their own FIFA World Cup dream.

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.

Finland comeback undoes Liechtenstein

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:15:00 GMT

Finland kept alive their hopes of finishing second in the European Zone's Group 4 by coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Liechtenstein.

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.

Jansen leaves Germany squad

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:13:00 GMT

Germany midfielder Marcell Jansen has been ruled out of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium with the flu.

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.

Injured Bellamy still in Wales squad

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Wales forward Craig Bellamy has been included in John Toshack's squad for their forthcoming South Africa 2010 qualifiers, despite being injured.

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.

Finn own goals gift Russia win

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Two own goals from Finland gifted Russia a 3-0 European Zone FIFA World Cup qualifying victory on Wednesday.

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?

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.

Baxter's bittersweet debut

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:07:00 GMT

Finland coach Stuart Baxter looks back on his first competitive match in charge, a dramatic 3-3 draw with Germany, and ahead to future challenges.

Klose repays Low's trust

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:59:00 GMT

Germany coach Joachim Low is delighted that his faith in striker Miroslav Klose has been vindicated by the latter's hat-trick against Finland.

Klose hat-trick saves Germany

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:00:00 GMT

Veteran striker Mirolsav Klose rescued Germany with a hat-trick to salvage a late 3-3 draw against Finland in European Group 4.

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.

Swiss slip up as Theo runs riot

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:58:00 GMT

From Switzerland's home defeat by Luxembourg to Theo Walcott's hat-trick, there have been thrills aplenty in Matchday 2 of European qualifying.

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.

Ghosts haunt France and England

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:30:00 GMT

The ghosts of recent past will haunt France and England as the former world champions embark on crucial midweek qualifiers for South Africa 2010.

Low promises first-up wins

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:48:00 GMT

Germany coach Joachim Low has promised that his team will take a maximum six points from their two opening South Africa 2010 qualifiers.

Hopefuls begin qualifying trail

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:42:00 GMT

FIFA.com focuses on three European teams who are bidding to make their first FIFA World Cup finals appearance at South Africa 2010.

Forssell's FIFA World Cup dream

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:15:00 GMT

Mikael Forssell, newly arrived at Hannover 96 from Birmingham City, spoke to FIFA.com about his new club and FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Baxter aims for 2010 reunion

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:23:14 GMT

Former South Africa coach Stuart Baxter is hoping he can steer new charges Finland to the next FIFA World Cup and return to his old stomping ground.

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.

Low (GER): Our aim is to finish first

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:43:00 GMT

Joachim Low: "It's an interesting group. With all respect to the other teams, our aim has got to be to finish first and qualify for the World Cup directly."

Germany and Russia start as favourites

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:57:00 GMT

Germany and Russia are the favourites in European qualifying Group 4, although both teams must overcome one or two tricky hurdles.

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.