FIFA.com - News

Van Marwijk: Turkey the biggest danger

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:35:00 GMT

"We’re going to be facing three sides – Turkey, Hungary and Romania – with different styles. They’ll be our main rivals, with Turkey looking like the biggest danger in terms of beating us to top spot." Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk

Rocky road for the Netherlands

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:08:00 GMT

Favourites in a group featuring “four genuine football nations” according to coach Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands cannot expect to have everything their own way.

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.

54 days to go

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:54:00 GMT

The 1954 FIFA World Cup featured the infamous "Battle of Berne" between Brazil and Hungary: a match is well-known for its violent conduct.

Danes' great run ended

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:58:00 GMT

Denmark's unbeaten run in South Africa 2010 qualifying came to an end in Copenhagen at the hands of Hungary and Akos Buzsaky.

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.

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.

Simao brace propels Portugal

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:38:00 GMT

Portugal overcame the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to move into pole position for a South Africa 2010 play-off in their first home win in the campaign.

European qualifiers preview

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

Ten tickets to South Africa remain up for grabs in Europe, where crucial games are set to unfold in Athens, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon and Moscow.

Crisis times for goal-shy Portugal

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:28:00 GMT

Despite boasting the reigning FIFA World Player Cristiano Ronaldo among other talents, Portugal face an uphill struggle to reach South Africa 2010.

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.

Pepe revives Portugal hopes

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:30:00 GMT

Pepe's goal proved the difference as Portugal boosted their hopes of qualifying for South Africa 2010 with a hard-fought 1-0 defeat of Hungary.

Queiroz: We must keep believing

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:11:00 GMT

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has said that his players cannot lose faith while there is still a chance of them qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

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.

Last-gasp Ibra stuns Hungary

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored an 11th-hour winner to break Hungarian hearts and propel Sweden back into contention for a top-two finish in Group 1.

Tiago plots Denmark revenge

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:20:00 GMT

Portugal midfielder Tiago is confident the team will not suffer a repeat of last year's capitulation against Denmark when the two nations meet again.

Big names face decisive duels

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Portugal, Sweden, France and Czech Republic are all under pressure to claim maximum points as they limber up for vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Almeida: We have every chance

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Hugo Almeida speaks about the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen and a transitional phase for Portugal as they bid to reach South Africa 2010.

Hungary look to the present

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:50:00 GMT

Erwin Koeman's Hungary are hoping to cast off the shackles of their glorious history by clinching a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Liedson earns Portugal call-up

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:46:00 GMT

Liedson has been called up for the first time for Portugal in the 22-man squad announced for next month's crucial 2010 South Africa qualifiers.

Virtual world title in their sights

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:54:00 GMT

The FIFA Interactive World Cup Grand Final takes place in Barcelona on Saturday 2 May with 32 of the world's best gamers going head-to-head.

Surprises all over the world

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:04:00 GMT

Shockwaves were felt all around Planet Football this week as some of the true powers of the world game fell to unexpected qualifying defeats.

Hungary go top with Malta win

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:55:00 GMT

Hungary edged closer to a first FIFA World Cup appearance in almost 25 years with a 3-0 win over Malta that piles further pressure on Portugal.

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 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.

Koeman's Hungarian revival

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:04:00 GMT

Dutchman Erwin Koeman is seeking to lead Hungary back to their glory days of old, starting by guiding them to a place at South Africa 2010.

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?

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.

Youngsters lead Danish renaissance

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:27:00 GMT

After an astonishing last-gasp triumph in Portugal, resurgent Denmark have their sights set on a fourth FIFA World Cup finals appearance.

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.

Dardai: Anything is possible

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:47:00 GMT

In an interview with FIFA.com, Hertha Berlin's versatile Hungarian Pal Dardai discusses his country's chances of reaching South Africa 2010.

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.

Portugal face twin Nordic threat

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:48:00 GMT

Portugal will go into qualifying for South Africa 2010 as favourites to top Group 1 although they can expect tough competition.

Scolari (POR): Obliged to go through

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:05:00 GMT

Luiz Felipe Scolari: "We've drawn some very tough opponents but we're obliged to go through. As such, we need to bear in mind that only the first-placed team earn a direct passage."

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.