FIFA.com - News

Van Marwijk: Turkey the biggest danger

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:35:00 GMT

"We’re going to be facing three sides – Turkey, Hungary and Romania – with different styles. They’ll be our main rivals, with Turkey looking like the biggest danger in terms of beating us to top spot." Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk

Rocky road for the Netherlands

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:08:00 GMT

Favourites in a group featuring “four genuine football nations” according to coach Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands cannot expect to have everything their own way.

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.

Romania finish on winning note

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:35:00 GMT

Romania ended their disappointing South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Group 7's bottom team, the Faroe Islands.

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.

Five-star Serbia seal their place

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:23:00 GMT

Serbia booked their place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa with a superb 5-0 win over Romania in which Milan Javanovic scored a brace.

European qualifiers preview

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

Ten tickets to South Africa remain up for grabs in Europe, where crucial games are set to unfold in Athens, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon and Moscow.

Schiemer equaliser punishes Romania

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:05:00 GMT

Romania's slim hopes of finishing runners-up in Group 7 were effectively ended by a 1-1 draw at home to Austria, who threw themselves a lifeline.

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.

Domenech gets vote of confidence

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:53:00 GMT

FFF President Jean-Pierre Escalettes has insisted that the under-fire France supremo will not be dismissed during the 2010 South Africa qualifying campaign.

Ribery a doubt for Serbia clash

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:04:00 GMT

France could well be without Franck Ribery and Julien Escude for 9 September's crunch encounter in Belgrade after both received knocks against Romania.

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.

French hopes dented by Romania

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:33:00 GMT

Former champions France's hopes of making it to South Africa 2010 suffered another blow when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Romania.

Big names face decisive duels

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Portugal, Sweden, France and Czech Republic are all under pressure to claim maximum points as they limber up for vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ronaldo faces World Cup heartbreak

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:41:00 GMT

A massive week of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches loom in Europe with Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team facing the prospect of elimination.

Romania's Mutu unfit for France

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:26:00 GMT

Romania will face France in Saturday's FIFA World Cup qualifier without striker Adrian Mutu, who misses the trip to Paris with a thigh problem.

Malouda: I feel good

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:33:00 GMT

Despite falling out of favour with Raymond Domenech following UEFA EURO 2008, Florent Malouda believes he deserves his place in the France squad.

Vieira 'disappointed' at France snub

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:47:00 GMT

French FIFA World Cup winner Patrick Vieira has expressed dismay at his Les Blues omission for their vital upcoming South Africa 2010 qualifiers.

Romania call on injured Mutu

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Adrian Mutu, who missed Fiorentina's Serie A game on Sunday, has been named in Romania's squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against France and Austria.

Henry returns for France

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:47:00 GMT

Thierry Henry was today recalled to the France squad for the World Cup doubleheader against Romania and Serbia but there was still no plac

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.

Lucescu named Romania boss

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:26:00 GMT

Razvan Lucescu was named as the new coach of Romania, replacing Victor Piturca who was sacked at the start of the month.

Romanian defender Contra retires

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Cosmin Contra has announced his international retirement in the wake of Romania's defeat to Austria in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying.

Mutu out for Romania

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:56:00 GMT

Adrian Mutu has been ruled out of Romania's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier against Austria, the Romanian Football Federation have announced.

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.

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.

Mutu: Serbia clash a must-win

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:39:00 GMT

Adrian Mutu has said that Romania must beat Serbia if they are to remain in contention for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

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.

Spirited Romania hold France

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:38:00 GMT

Troubled France coach Raymond Domenech received a late reprieve thanks to Yoann Gourcuff, who scored a stunning equaliser against Romania.

A prodigy is born again

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com places the spotlight on young prodigy Yoann Gourcuff, currently taking Ligue 1 by storm and drawing comparisons to Zinedine Zidane.

Users flock to Argentina-Uruguay

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:21:00 GMT

Argentina-Uruguay is the most enticing clash of this weekend's qualifiers, according to you, the FIFA.com users, in our most recent online poll.

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.

Gallas out of Romania match

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:43:00 GMT

France will be without William Gallas when they take on Romania in Constanta on Saturday, after the Arsenal defender sustained a thigh strain.

Live the drama LIVE

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:42:00 GMT

Nearly 100 qualifiers will take place between 10 and 15 October, and FIFA.com's MatchCasts and LIVE feeds mean you won't miss a thing.

Chivu, Mutu called up by Romania

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:11:00 GMT

Cristian Chivu and Adrian Mutu have been called up by Romania coach Victor Piturca for next weekend's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against France.

Hagi: Win means more to Romania

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:10:00 GMT

Gheorghe Hagi believes that his country want three points on 11 October even more than France and the legend is backing Romania to get them.

Mutu, Chivu return for Romania

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:03:00 GMT

Captain Cristian Chivu and star striker Adrian Mutu, who missed Romania's last two qualifiers, return to the side for a date with France.

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.

Marica and Niculae add to Romanian woes

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:56:00 GMT

Romania added Ciprian Marica and Daniel Niculae to their growing injury list after both forwards were ruled out of Wednesday's trip to the Faroe Islands.

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.

Chivu, Mutu out of Romania squad

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:42:00 GMT

Romania coach Victor Piturca has left Cristi Chivu and Adrian Mutu out of his 22-man squad for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and the Faroe Islands.

Who will reach the EURO semis?

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:17:00 GMT

The line-up for the EURO 2008 quarter-finals will become known on Wednesday, but which four sides do you think will reach the semi-finals?

Piturca frustrates French flair

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:59:00 GMT

In his first game at UEFA EURO 2008, Romania coach Victor Piturca used shrewd tactics to blunt the French, with Cristian Chivu to the fore.

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.