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.

Cech: The draw was very kind to Slovakia

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:31:00 GMT

Marek Cech speaks to FIFA.com about Slovakia’s qualification campaigns for UEFA EURO 2012 and Brazil 2014, life at West Bromwich Albion and his ambitions for the future.

Santos: A good draw for us

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:14:00 GMT

"I have to admit that the draw was a good one for us considering the teams which have been drawn together in other groups,” Greece coach Fernando Santos.

All to play for in Group G

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:25:00 GMT

Group G includes three serious candidates for an automatic berth at the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014: two-time participants Greece, Slovakia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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.

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.

Lithuania shock Serbia

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Lithuania inflicted the second defeat of already-qualified Serbia's FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory in rain-soaked Marijampole.

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.

Wallner on the spot for Austria

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:58:00 GMT

Roman Wallner converted a penalty ten minutes from time as Austria defeated Lithuania in Innsbruck to secure a third-placed finish in FIFA World Cup™ European qualifying Group 7.

Faroes stun Lithuania

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:29:00 GMT

Faroe Islands posted their first qualifying win since 2001 against Lithuania, whose faint hopes of reaching South Africa 2010 were all but ended.

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.

Romania see off Lithuania

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:52:00 GMT

Romania breathed new life into their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Lithuania in Marijampole.

Safe passage for Netherlands

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:56:00 GMT

The Netherlands became the first European side to book passage to South Africa as England, Serbia, Denmark and Slovakia moved closer to the finals.

Dutch close in as neighbours clash

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:57:00 GMT

In Europe, the Netherlands know that a win in Iceland will guarantee a spot in South Africa, while Sweden square up to Nordic neighbours Demark.

Romania name squad for crunch qualifier

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:26:00 GMT

New Romania coach Razvan Lucescu has named his squad for next week's FIFA World Cup qualifier in Lithuania which looms as a must-win for the visitors.

Big guns fire as Poland cut loose

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:16:00 GMT

Spain, England and the Netherlands all won to move closer to a place in South Africa, while Poland scored a perfect ten against San Marino.

Ribery undoes Lithuania again

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:32:00 GMT

Franck Ribery was again the match-winner as France scored another 1-0 win over Lithuania; a result that moved Les Bleus second in their group.

Rallying cry to French fans

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:58:00 GMT

France coach Raymond Domenech and captain Thierry Henry have called on fans to be their twelve man in their South Africa 2010 qualifier against Lithuania.

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.

France call-up Mavuba for Diaby

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:34:00 GMT

France have drafted Lille's Rio Mavuba to replace Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby, who has withdrawn from the squad due to a hip problem.

Spain, Netherlands edge closer

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:40:00 GMT

Big guns Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands all scored maximum points in a huge night of FIFA World Cup qualifying in Europe.

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.

Italy and France sight South Africa

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:09:00 GMT

FIFA World Cup winners Italy and runners-up France can take a giant stride towards South Africa 2010 qualification with wins in their upcoming matches.

Youthful France lean on Henry

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:16:00 GMT

With his other strikers short on form and experience, Raymond Domenech will once again look to the on-song Barcelona striker Thierry Henry.

Evra blasts French fans

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Patrice Evra has criticised as "unbelievable" the attitude of a section of the French support towards the players during recent internationals.

Hoarau replaces injured Anelka

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:35:00 GMT

Paris St Germain striker Guillaume Hoarau has been called up for France's double-header against Lithuania after Nicolas Anelka was withdrawn.

Gignac earns first France call-up

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:21:00 GMT

Raymond Domenech has awarded a first call-up to Andre-Pierre Gignac for the FIFA World Cup qualifying double-header against Lithuania.

Domenech's 2010 target

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:21:00 GMT

France coach Raymond Domenech has only one New Year's resolution - being spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing his first 11.

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.

Danilevicius: It's a big surprise

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lithuania have been the revelation of European qualifying to date. Captain Tomas Danilevicius speaks to FIFA.com about their improbable start.

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.

Romania lose Chivu and Mutu

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:15:00 GMT

Injury means Romania will be without captain Cristian Chivu and Adrian Mutu when they open their quest to qualify for South Africa 2010.

Lithuania coach quits for politics

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:21:00 GMT

Lithuania coach Algimantas Liubinskas has quit his job to concentrate on campaigning for a seat in parliament, it was announced on Monday.

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.

Domenech (FRA): Not a straightforward group

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:46:00 GMT

Raymond Domenech: "It's not a straightforward group. Only first place will guarantee qualification. The away fixtures will be tricky to organise and the games themselves will be every bit as difficult."

France to face eastern challenge

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:12:00 GMT

France, runners-up at Germany 2006, will begin their challenge for the 2010 crown in a group in which difficult challenges are likely to be posed.

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.