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 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.

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.

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.

Cannavaro: The Final will be emotional

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:40:00 GMT

Italy's 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro, speaks exclusively to FIFA.com about handing back the trophy, the future for Italy and his hopes for the Final.

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.

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.

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.

New Italy coach calls for optimism

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:45:00 GMT

Italy's new coach Cesare Prandelli expects the team's early exit from South Africa 2010 to be regarded as "only a parenstheses" in the history of Italian football.

Bergomi: It's all about teamwork

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:16:00 GMT

Legendary Italy defender Giuseppe Bergomi tells FIFA.com his thoughts on South Africa 2010 while also looking back on his formidable career.

Slovaks revel in impressive campaign

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:01:00 GMT

Slovakia may have lost in the Round of 16, but coach Vladimir Weiss, his namesake and son, and goalkeeper Jan Mucha were very proud of their campaign.

Zola backs Prandelli

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:20:00 GMT

Gianfranco Zola believes Cesare Prandelli is the right man to take Italy forward after their shock exit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Stoch: The pressure will be on the Dutch

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:51:00 GMT

Slovakia go into Monday's second-round game against the Netherlands as the underdogs but, says midfielder Miroslav Stoch, they have "nothing to lose".

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.

Hamsik laments Italy exit

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:47:00 GMT

Slovakia's Marek Hamsik feels sorry for Italy after they were dumped out of the FIFA World Cup™ by the European minnows earlier this week.

Fans stay away as Azzurri return home

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:04:00 GMT

Italy arrived in Rome this morning but, unlike four years ago when they returned home as world champions, there was no heroes welcome at Fiumicino airport.

Cannavaro: Fear cost Italy

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:48:00 GMT

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro on Friday blamed fear for the reigning champions' ignominious exit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ following a shock 3-2 defeat to debutants Slovakia.

Berlin heroes lose their lustre

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:58:00 GMT

Italy arrived in South Africa with Marcello Lippi at the helm and high hopes of repeating their 2006 success. They head for home humbled and searching for answers.

Vittek: Win has moved the goalposts

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:42:00 GMT

Robert Vittek believes Slovakia's shock FIFA World Cup win over Italy has "moved the limits" of what the country can achieve in the game.

Cannavaro issues warning to Italy

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:47:00 GMT

Their reign as world champions came to an inglorious end with just two draws from their group games and outgoing captain Fabio Cannavaro says Italian football has to change.

Italian press laments 'darkest day'

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:36:00 GMT

Marcello Lippi's class of 2010 has been labelled the worst Italian team in their FIFA World Cup history by the country's press.

Weiss hails memorable moment

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:09:00 GMT

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss described his team's 3-2 victory over Italy as the second-best day of his life following the birth of his son.

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.

Criscito: We share the blame

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:34:00 GMT

Italy defender Domenico Criscito said he and his team-mates must shoulder the blame after the world champions crashed out of South Africa 2010 after a 3-2 defeat by Slovakia.

Paraguay delight, Italy despair

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:07:00 GMT

Paraguay and Slovakia made it through, New Zealand made history but the big story in Group F was the elimination of reigning world champions Italy, consigned to the wooden spoon.

Lippi takes the blame

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:04:00 GMT

Coach Marcello Lippi stoop up and took the blame for Italy's group-stage exit from South Africa 2010, saying that he had not prepared his players properly.

Slovakia advance, eliminate Italy

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:03:00 GMT

Slovakia held on for a dramatic 3-2 victory over Italy at Ellis Park that sent them into Round of 16 and eliminated Marcello Lippi's world champions.

Cannavaro calls for improvement

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:35:00 GMT

Captain Fabio Cannavaro is confident "the best is yet to come" from traditional FIFA World Cup slow starters Italy.

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.

Hamsik: This game will be like a Final

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:09:00 GMT

Feeling that Slovakia have yet to show their best at South Africa 2010, Marek Hamsik shared his thoughts with FIFA ahead of their final group match with Italy.

Pirlo not fit to start crucial clash

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:43:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi indicated that star midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be on the bench against Slovakia but is not fit enough to start.

Slovakia-Italy preview

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:19:00 GMT

Group F has an unfamiliar look to it heading into the final round, with reigning world champions Italy still not guaranteed a place in the last 16.

No panic for Italy as pressure builds

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:57:00 GMT

The current holders of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, Italy, have just two points from six in South Africa, but despite facing a crucial final group game against Slovakia, they insist they are not nervous.

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.

Jakubko accepts Italy challenge

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Slovakia striker Martin Jakubko says there will no surprises when they face Italy in their final FIFA World Cup Group F match on Thursday.

Gilardino: We have the will to win

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:10:00 GMT

Italy striker Alberto Gilardino has told his teammates to step up their game against Slovakia or they will "deserve to go home".

Medel maintains defensive supremacy

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:59:00 GMT

There is a South American flavour to the second Castrol Index of South Africa 2010, and it is once again a defender, Chile's Gary Medel, who is leading from the front.

De Rossi demands improvement

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:49:00 GMT

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi knows that Italy need to improve on the form they displayed during their draws against Paraguay and New Zealand.

Lippi: Crisis, what crisis?

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:23:00 GMT

The world champions have started with two disappointing draws but Italy coach Marcello Lippi refused to push the panic button and says he can draw on some positives.

Herbert keeps his balance

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:12:00 GMT

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert felt it was important to keep emotions in check after his side's momentous 1-1 draw against Italy on Sunday.

Brazil buoyant, Nazionale nervous

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:58:00 GMT

Brazil had reason to celebrate on Day 10 as they booked their place in the last 16 and so too did New Zealand after earning a famous draw with holders Italy.

Fabulous Fabiano and fab for Fabio

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:46:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the South Africa 2010 stats on a day that Brazil recorded a number of milestones and Fabio Cannavaro moved alongside one of the Azzurri greats.

These are Italy's best, says Lippi

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:10:00 GMT

After Italy's disappointing draw with New Zealand, coach Marcello Lippi insisted that his players have the talent to defend their title.

Group F: State of play

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:09:00 GMT

Italy would not have expected to be entering the last round of matches level on points with New Zealand. FIFA.com assesses the qualifying permutations.