FIFA.com - News

Belgium move clear, Portugal claim key win

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews Friday's matchday in European qualifying for Brazil 2014 as Belgium and Portugal improved their prospects, while Croatia and Montenegro both stumbled at home.

Balotelli sent off as Czech Republic hold Italy

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:52:00 GMT

Despite being held to a scoreless draw by the Czech Republic and seeing Mario Balotelli sent off for two bookings in three minutes, Italy moved further ahead at the top of their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying group.

Bonucci eyeing potentially crucial win

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:37:00 GMT

Italy face Czech Republic Friday evening in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying and the match-up could give the Azzurri a six-point lead at the top of Group B, and defender Leonardo Bonucci is aware of the importance this match has on their Brazil 2014 hopes.

Crunch time for Portugal in Europe

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:09:00 GMT

Russia's trip to face an under-pressure Portugal side is arguably the highlight of an intriguing programme of European Zone qualifiers on Friday, which also includes Belgium-Serbia, Czech Republic-Italy and Austria-Sweden.

Barzagli in as Prandelli names Confeds squad

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:27:00 GMT

Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli was a notable inclusion as Italy coach Cesare Prandelli named a 23-man squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup and a FIFA World Cup™ qualifier away to the Czech Republic.

Buffon frustrated despite victory

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:19:00 GMT

Gianluigi Buffon was far from happy after Italy's FIFA World Cup™ Group B qualifier match with Malta, despite a 2-0 win, but the veteran goalkeeper was happy to see Mario Balotelli becoming a consistent player.

Spain triumph, Montenegro hold firm

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:04:00 GMT

FIFA.com wraps up another massive evening of European Brazil 2014 qualifying highlighted by a crucial win for world champions Spain on their trip to Paris, while Montenegro and England remain evenly poised after a hard-fought draw.

Balotelli brace sees off Malta

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:02:00 GMT

Mario Balotelli continued his hot streak in front of goal with a brace to fire Italy to victory over Malta in their FIFA World Cup qualifying match. The AC Milan forward now has ten goals in nine appearances for club and country.

Crunch time for former champions

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:03:00 GMT

Spain's trip to France is among the eye-catching fixtures in Tuesday's European Zone FIFA World Cup qualifiers. FIFA.com previews the action.

Ankle injury sidelines Chiellini

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:43:00 GMT

Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini will sit out the friendly against Brazil with an ankle injury that could also keep him out of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malta.

Cerci handed first Italy call-up

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Torino winger Alessio Cerci has been named by Italy coach Cesare Prandelli in a 27-man squad to face Brazil and Malta.

Duo remain perfect, France troubling Spain

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 07:32:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews the European race for Brazil 2014 places so far, including crucial games and goals and an intriguing stat, and looks at some of the biggest upcoming clashes.

Prandelli: De Rossi punishment will serve him well

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:19:00 GMT

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said that his dropping of experienced midfielder Daniele De Rossi for Wednesday's friendly with France for being sent off at the weekend would teach him a lesson.

Prandelli pleased with Azzurri

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 09:36:00 GMT

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli believes his side showed spirit in overcoming the dismissal of Pablo Osvaldo to beat Denmark 3-1 at the San Siro.

Sting in the tail for Germany, Spain

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:58:00 GMT

Surprise results littered Tuesday's 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualification, as Germany let slip a four goal lead to draw 4-4 with Sweden, Northern Ireland held Portugal and France stunned Spain to grab a point in the closing seconds.

Ten-man Italy thump Danes

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:14:00 GMT

Italy got the convincing win they needed to silence some of their critics despite playing virtually the entire second half of their 3-1 FIFA World Cup™ qualifier victory over Denmark with ten men.

Buffon out of Denmark clash

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:59:00 GMT

Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon is out of the Brazil 2014 qualifier against Denmark with an adductor muscle injury.

Excitement as Euro elite face off

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Five games pit table-toppers against close rivals on Matchday 4 of European Zone qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, as FIFA.com explains.

Prandelli: Italy showed a lot of character

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Cesare Prandelli has expressed his satisfaction at Italy's attitude in their victory in Armenia, while Pablo Osvaldo has hailed his own commitment and Domenico Criscito has discussed wearing the blue of his country once again.

Russia, Belgium impress as groups take shape

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 00:07:00 GMT

Belgium and Russia were both in smashing form in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying on Friday, moving into commanding positions in their respective groups.

Italy unconvincing against Armenia

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 20:16:00 GMT

Italy laboured to victory over Armenia as their largely unimpressive FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign continued.

Balotelli out of Armenia clash

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:12:00 GMT

Mario Balotelli will be absent from Italy's visit to Armenia in their FIFA World Cup™ qualifier after the Manchester City striker failed to recover from flu, but is expected to be ready for their match with Denmark.

Prandelli: Stakes high for Italy

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:03:00 GMT

The pressure is on Italy to perform in their FIFA World Cup™ qualifier away to Armenia, coach Cesare Prandelli suggested Thursday on the eve of the Group B tie in Yerevan.

High stakes in Belgrade, Moscow and Piraeus

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 07:08:00 GMT

England, the Netherlands and Sweden may be expected to build up their goal difference on Matchday 3, but in Serbia-Belgium, Russia-Portugal and Greece-Bosnia-Herzegovina, the menu has some fascinating, hard-to-call fixtures.

Balotelli back for FIFA World Cup qualifying

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 19:14:00 GMT

Italy head coach Cesare Prandelli recalled Mario Balotelli and five others for the Azzurri's 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying matches against Armenia and Denmark.

Prandelli: Pirlo wants to play in 2014

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:14:00 GMT

Cesare Prandelli believes 33-year-old Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo will continue until Brazil 2014, but has warned that Gli Azzurri also need young players to be introduced.

Prandelli: We weren't at our best

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:13:00 GMT

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli admitted his side were far from their best as they laboured to a FIFA World Cup qualifying win over minnows Malta.

Powerhouses make steady progress

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:23:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying action from Europe on a positive evening for the continent's major nations, although both Germany and Spain were made to work overtime before collecting wins.

Italy make hard work of Malta

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:48:00 GMT

Goals at the beginning and end of the game, from Mattia Destro and Federico Peluso, gave Italy a 2-0 victory at home to Malta but they were tested throughout the encounter.

World champions join the party

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:26:00 GMT

After a dramatic opening weekend of FIFA World Cup qualifying action in the European Zone, Spain begin their campaign tomorrow with a match in Georgia. FIFA.com looks ahead to all the action in the old continent.

Osvaldo taking positives despite draw

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:41:00 GMT

Even though Italy had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria, striker Pablo Osvaldo said he was "half-happy" after his brace earned a point for Gli Azzurri in their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ opener.

Big guns hit ground running

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:56:00 GMT

The likes of England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal made winning starts to European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014, while Italy were held to a 2-2 draw in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria withstand Italian challenge

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 23:03:00 GMT

Bulgaria held Italy to a 2-2 draw in their opening 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying encounter in Group B, grabbing a share of the spoils in the second half through Georgi Milanov.

Road to Brazil begins in Europe

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 02:41:00 GMT

All 53 European member associations will be involved in the first round of FIFA World Cup preliminaries this Friday and Saturday as the road to Brazil begins in the Old Continent.

Acerbi replaces Astori in Italy squad

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Cesare Prandelli has called AC Milan defender Francesco Acerbi into his Italy squad for their upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifiers after Davide Astori pulled out through injury.

Prandelli calls up Insigne, Pazzini

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has called upon the striking talents of uncapped Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne and AC Milan new-boy Giampaolo Pazzini for their upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

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.