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.

Rio draw pits Spain against France

Sat, 30 Jul 2011 21:23:00 GMT

The road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals was laid out for 166 hopefuls at Saturday's Preliminary Draw in Rio de Janeiro and holders Spain face a sizeable obstacle in the shape of former winners France.

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.

The FIFA World Cup in pictures and videos

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:18:00 GMT

What better way to relive the 2010 FIFA World Cup thank to take a few moments flicking through our hundreds of exclusive photos and videos from the month-long tournament?

South Africa 2010 in numbers

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:36:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look through the statistics that matter, including records broken and top performers, in our look back at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

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.

Finals that left their imprint

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:24:00 GMT

With the Netherlands and Spain now making their last preparations, FIFA.com looks back at the showpiece matches from years gone by that helped shape the beautiful game.

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.

Stars come out for Football for Hope

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:02:00 GMT

The likes of Christian Karembeu and Anthony Baffoe took the pitch in front of thousands of delighted fans in Alexandra township on Thursday in support of the Football for Hope Festival.

Entertainment assured in consolation game

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:57:00 GMT

There may be less at stake, but the clash to decide who finishes third in the FIFA World Cup often tends to be packed with entertainment, with a glut of goals all part of the tradition.

Vieira ends international career

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:23:00 GMT

Patrick Vieira has confirmed he is no longer interested in playing for France and will devote his energies to Manchester City.

Blanc proud to take French helm

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:18:00 GMT

A FIFA World Cup winner in 1998, Laurent Blanc has expressed his pride after being unveiled as France coach on Tuesday morning.

Semi-finals that shook the world

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As the Netherlands prepare to face Uruguay, and Germany gear up to tackle Spain, FIFA.com looks back at some of the most thrilling last-four jousts from years gone by.

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.

Thuram recommends Evra exile

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:33:00 GMT

Former France international Lilian Thuram says Patrice Evra should never be allowed to represent his country again due to his leading role in the FIFA World Cup™ player revolt.

French football heralds new era

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:52:00 GMT

France's FIFA World Cup-winning defender Laurent Blanc has been officially named as national team coach, succeeding Raymond Domenech.

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.

Vieira: African stars lacked support

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:17:00 GMT

Patrick Vieira believes African stars such as Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o were under too much pressure and lacked the support they needed to help their sides reach the last 16.

Ribery to undergo groin operation

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:49:00 GMT

French playmaker Franck Ribery is to undergo an operation on his groin on Friday in Munich, the French coaching staff announced on Thursday.

Wiltord: French failure inexplicable

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:44:00 GMT

Ex-France forward Sylvain Wiltord tells FIFA that his country's disastrous campaign was "not the fault of the coach alone" and says Les Bleus must get back to basics.

Forlorn France left to take stock

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Abou Diaby described it as 'the end of a long nightmare.' Sebastien Squillaci said 'we really weren't any good.' Now FIFA.com examines some of the reasons behind France's early exit.

Malouda pleads for forgiveness

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:35:00 GMT

Florent Malouda fears the French players may always have to live with the shame of a chaotic World Cup campaign.

The former world champions are due to return to Paris aft

Uruguay dominate as France implode

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:43:00 GMT

Uruguay marched through to the last 16, where they were joined by a Mexico side that edged an impressive South Africa. Meanwhile, despair befell France.

South African tears, Latin cheers

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:31:00 GMT

South Africa became the first hosts to fall at the first hurdle but they were celebrating in South America as Uruguay and Argentina finished top of their groups.

South American success, French failure

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:12:00 GMT

FIFA.com's daily look at the South Africa 2010 statistics focuses on some unwanted landmarks for France and yet more joy for the tournament's in-form South Americans.

France forlorn at sad exit

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:47:00 GMT

Coach Raymond Domenech and midfielder Florent Malouda have lamented France's surprise first-phase elimination from the competition.

South Africa stays on top

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:42:00 GMT

The vuvuzelas continued to blow and the South African flag still flew high long after the final whistle had blown at the Free State stadium, despite Bafana Bafana exiting the tournament.

Parreira: 'My main feeling is pride'

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:24:00 GMT

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is disappointed that the host nation did not advance to the last 16 but does not see it as a failure.

Even in defeat, South Africans rally

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:07:00 GMT

South Africans across the country delighted in their 2-1 victory over France even though it was coupled with their elimination from the tournament.

Sad Domenech laments early exit

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:54:00 GMT

France coach Raymond Domenech expressed his sadness over France's early exit from South Africa 2010 and wished his successor the best of luck.

Bafana beat Bleus, both bow out

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:00:00 GMT

South Africa gave everything to try and stay in their own FIFA World Cup™ but in the end their victory was in vain as they and France both exit the competition.

Zidane: The World Cup reflects my career

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:43:00 GMT

In a candid interview, former France star Zinedine Zidane tells FIFA.com about the highs and lows of his FIFA World Cup experiences, including the 2006 Final and gives his tip for this year's tournament.

Eight hopefuls eyeing four spots

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Uruguay and Argentina begin the day as leaders of Group A and Group B respectively, but with no-one yet assured of a last 16 place or consigned to elimination, there is still plenty to play for.

France legends call for focus

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:56:00 GMT

FIFA.com asked a number of current and former France internationals for their thoughts on the national team's problems ahead of the meeting with South Africa.

Zizou, Radebe take different sides

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:33:00 GMT

France and South Africa meet in their final Group A contest and Zinedine Zidane and Lucas Radebe talked with FIFA on their view of the game.

Parreira set to ring changes

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:29:00 GMT

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has said that he will make sweeping changes for the final group clash against France, but admits the outcome is not in his hands.

France go into meltdown

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:25:00 GMT

France's FIFA World Cup campaign continues on a downward spiral after the French Football Federation said there would be an official investigation.

France-South Africa preview

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

With France in turmoil and South Africa on the brink of becoming the first host nation to fail to make the knockout rounds, the stakes are high for tomorrow's meeting in Bloemfontein.

Modise targets vulnerable France

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:56:00 GMT

Midfielder Teko Modise says South Africa will target France as a team rather than focusing on individuals, ahead of their pivotal Group A meeting on Tuesday.

France's campaign falling apart

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:21:00 GMT

France's chaotic FIFA World Cup™ campaign is in disarray after the players boycotted training in support of Nicolas Anelka, who was sent home for a row with Raymond Domenech.

South African, French hopes hang by a thread

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Host nation South Africa will face a French side in disarray in their final group match on Tuesday with both sides knowing their fate is out of their hands but hoping for a miracle.

African welcome winning hearts

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:12:00 GMT

Whatever their fortunes on the pitch, players from the competing nations at this FIFA World Cup™ are enjoying the experience off it as FIFA.com finds out.

Anelka sent home by France

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:21:00 GMT

France striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the FIFA World Cup™ after after refusing to apologise for abusing coach Raymond Domenech.

Group A: State of play

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:58:00 GMT

Uruguay and Mexico are in pole position to qualify from Group A going into the last round of matches. FIFA.com looks at the possible permutations.

Toulalan goes on the attack

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:53:00 GMT

France are licking their wounds after a 2-0 defeat by Mexico that leaves them battling to qualify for the second phase and the players have shouldered the blame.

Evra 'disgusted' with display

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:20:00 GMT

Captain Patrice Evra admits it feels like France are a "small football nation - and it hurts" after they lurched towards the verge of early FIFA World Cup elimination.