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.

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.

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.

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.

Spain stumble, Portugal rescue point

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:25:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews all the action from a massive evening of Brazil 2014 qualifiers in Europe highlighted by a shock draw at home for world champions Spain against Finland, while Portugal narrowly avoided defeat in Israel.

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.

Czechs secure first win

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:12:00 GMT

The Czech Republic overcame dogged resistance by Malta to secure the first win of their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in their Group B clash in Plzen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Armenia down Malta in opener

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:17:00 GMT

Substitute Artur Sarkisov's 70th-minute strike ensured Armenia began their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign in a positive manner with a 1-0 victory over Malta.

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.

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.