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.

Bento: We're not the favourites

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:22:00 GMT

"We’re not favourites: Russia have a lot of talented individuals and Israel have proven they are very dangerous opponents for any team,” Portugal coach Paulo Bento.

Portugal and Russia renew rivalry

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:43:00 GMT

Group F features a couple of heavyweights in the form of Portugal and Russia who will both see themselves as destined for top spot, but the likes of Israel and Northern Ireland will look to rock the boat.

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.

Vidic to continue comeback

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:18:00 GMT

Defender Nemanja Vidic is scheduled to continue his comeback from a calf injury on Wednesday when Serbia take on Korea Republic.

Worthington salutes 'super' players

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:49:00 GMT

Nigel Worthington believes his team's South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign has been a success, with Northern Ireland finishing fourth in Group 3.

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.

Northern Ireland earn Czech stalemate

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:15:00 GMT

Northern Ireland earned an impressive goalless draw away to Czech Republic to round off what has been an admirable qualifying campaign.

Jankulovski quits as Czech hopes end

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:01:00 GMT

Defender Marek Jankulovski said he was quitting international football after the Czech Republic lost all hope of qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Vittek: Slovakia will qualify

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Slovakia captain Robert Vittek has vowed that "qualification will be ours" after suffering a setback in their South Africa 2010 bid against Slovenia.

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.

Downcast Worthington eyes miracle

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington admitted that his side had blown their "big opportunity" in losing at home to Slovakia in Group 3.

Slovakia stun Northern Ireland

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:52:00 GMT

Northern Ireland have only one chance remaining of making it to the FIFA World Cup finals after this setback at a stunned Windsor Park.

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.

Clingan: It would be unreal

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Nothern Ireland's Sammy Clingan has revealed it would be a dream to play at South Africa 2010, and urged his team to beat Slovakia at Windsor Park.

Kee ready for senior test

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Northern Ireland U-21 manager Steve Beaglehol has said that striker Billy Kee will take his promotion to Nigel Worthington's senior squad in his stride.

Goal-hero Lafferty a doubt for Slovakia

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:09:00 GMT

Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty, a scorer in 5 September's 1-1 draw in Poland in European Zone Group 3, may miss Wednesday's vital clash in Belfast.

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.

Mixed emotions for Worthington

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington admitted to some regret despite claiming a creditable 1-1 draw away to Poland.

Lewandowski rescues Poland

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:04:00 GMT

Kyle Lafferty had Northern Ireland daring to dream of victory at the Slaski Stadium, but instead they had to settle for a point against Poland.

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.

Evans: Healy is a hero

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:49:00 GMT

Jonny Evans has backed under-fire striker David Healy to deliver for Northern Ireland, and spoken about their chances of qualifying from Group 3.

Evans back in training

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:48:00 GMT

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington received a boost when Jonny Evans joined the squad in training today.

Ward earns Northern Ireland recall

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:52:00 GMT

Sheffield United striker Jamie Ward has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Slovakia.

Worthington: Healy will bounce back

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:30:00 GMT

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has vowed to stand by David Healy despite the Sunderland striker's current barren spell.

Worthington opts for youth

Wed, 20 May 2009 16:03:00 GMT

Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington has named a youthful squad to face Italy in next month's friendly in Pisa, resting several key players.

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.

Slovaks shock the Czechs

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:41:00 GMT

Slovakia shook off neighbours and arch-rivals Czech Republic with a 2-1 win in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Prague on Wednesday evening.

Feeney seals it for Northern Ireland

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:59:00 GMT

Northern Ireland stay top of Group 3 after defeating Slovenia, 1-0 thanks to Warren Feeney's 73rd minute goal following a scrappy encounter in Belfast.

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.

Evans: I'd love to qualify

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:12:00 GMT

With his national team top of their FIFA World Cup qualifying pool and his club going for a quintuple, Jonny Evans, 21, spoke exclusively to FIFA.com.

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.

Northern Ireland cruise in San Marino

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:02:00 GMT

Northern Ireland strolled to a 3-0 win over San Marino but picked up some costly bookings that leave problems in store when they face Poland.

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?

Jokic the born optimist

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:39:00 GMT

It has been a mixed season so far for Sochaux defender Bojan Jokic. While things are going well for Slovenia, in Ligue 1 it is completely different.

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.

Worthington hit by withdrawals

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:40:00 GMT

Northern Ireland have been rocked by the withdrawals of injured trio Sammy Clingan, Stephen Craigan and Michael Duff from their squad.

Lafferty back for qualifiers

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:34:00 GMT

Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty is back in Northern Ireland's squad for their qualifying matches against Slovenia and San Marino next month.

Czech stalemate for Northern Ireland

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:33:00 GMT

Northern Ireland held the Czech Republic to a goalless draw atWindsor Park as they gained their first point of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

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.

Europe up and running

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:01:00 GMT

England needed two-goal hero Joe Cole to beat Andorra on a day when France lost to Austria and Italy needed a little luck to beat Cyprus.

Worthington dares to dream

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:41:00 GMT

Northern Ireland coach Nigel Worthington tells FIFA.com why he believes a first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1986 is within his side's grasp.

Worthington reveals his squad

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:29:00 GMT

Nigel Worthington has named his Northern Ireland squad for next month's South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Worthington confirmed as manager

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:32:00 GMT

Northern Ireland's bid to reach South Africa 2010 will be led by former Leeds United defender and Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington.

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.

Worthington (NIR): Plenty to look forward to

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:24:00 GMT

Nigel Worthington: "I would rather have the group this way than have three to four easy ones and one difficult one. It's very interesting and there's plenty to look forward to."

Czechs face old friends

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:52:00 GMT

On paper Group 3 looks one of the most evenly balanced in the European qualifying round, although Czech Republic will start as favourites.

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.