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.

Levein: We have homework to do

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:12:00 GMT

"It could have been worse. With a draw like this we’ll have a lot of homework to do in preparation for the matches, and I wouldn’t dare to make any predictions at this early stage. I have faith in my team," Craig Levein, Scotland manager

Wide open in Group A

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:46:00 GMT

Group A is possibly the hardest to call out of all the European qualifiers, with every team no doubt thinking they at least have a chance of a play-off spot, and no game looking like an easy asking.

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 spirit of Queretaro returns

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:08:00 GMT

Germany's senior side of 1986 and current U-17s have something in common: being based in Queretaro at a world finals. FIFA.com chats to Toni Schumacher and Olaf Thon about the location.

Van Bronckhorst feels for Scots

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:42:00 GMT

Netherlands' captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst acknowledged that ending Scotland's dreams of reaching South Africa 2010 were bitter-sweet.

Burley wants to make amends

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:23:00 GMT

George Burley refused to walk away from the Scotland job tonight after the nation's hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup finals were shattered.

Elia eliminates Scots at Hampden

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:05:00 GMT

Scotland gave it their all at Hampden Park, but a solitary goal from the Netherlands' Eljero Elia ended their hopes of reaching South Africa 2010.

Dutch doubt over Stekelenburg

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:56:00 GMT

The Netherlands could be without regular goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg for their South Africa 2010 qualifier where a win is crucial for Scotland.

Van Marwijk: Let's keep it perfect

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:25:00 GMT

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk warned Scotland not to expect his South Africa-bound side to cruise through their last qualifier.

Sneijder fit for Dutch

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Wesley Sneijder has been declared fit for Wednesday's final South Africa 2010 qualifier with Scotland at Hampden Park.

Sneijder still a Dutch doubt

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:22:00 GMT

The Netherlands are still fretting over the fitness of Wesley Sneijder ahead of tomorrow's final 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier with Scotland.

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.

Butcher lauds Burley achievements

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:24:00 GMT

Terry Butcher has applauded George Burley for taking Scotland on to the verge of a play-off place, singling out the coach's positive attitude.

Scots add Rae, Dorrans

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:11:00 GMT

Scotland havecalled up Cardiff City midfielder Gavin Rae and West Bromwich Albion's Graham Dorrans for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands.

Miller backs Whittaker for Scots challenge

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:02:00 GMT

With Scotland desperate to claim a win against the Netherlands, Kenny Miller says Steven Whittaker has the ability to slot in for the injured Callum Davidson.

Brown boost for Burley

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:24:00 GMT

Scotland have received a boost ahead of their qualifier against the Netherlands with news that Scott Brown's injury is not as bad as first feared.

Sneijder may face Scots

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Wesley Sneijder may be fit to face Scotland this week after X-rays revealed the injury he sustained against Japan was not as bad as first feared.

Fletcher wary of Dutch threat

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:13:00 GMT

Scotland cannot afford to take the already-qualified Netherlands lightly in their final Group 9 qualifier on 9 September, according to key midfielder Darren Fletcher.

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.

Burley: Everyone played their part

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:43:00 GMT

George Burley praised the Scotland team and country's fans for playing their part in the vital 2-0 qualifying win over FYR Macedonia at Hampden.

Sneijder suffers ankle injury

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:36:00 GMT

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has been taken to hospital after suffering an ankle injury during today's 3-0 friendly win over Japan.

Scotland secure vital win

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:24:00 GMT

Scott Brown and James McFadden were on target as Scotland beat FYR Macedonia 2-0 to move into the driving seat to finish as Group 9 runners-up.

Bullish Burley keeps the faith

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:08:00 GMT

George Burley has said that he fully expects Scotland to see off FYR Macedonia at Hampden Park tomorrow - because his side are "the better team".

Berra blow for Burley

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:23:00 GMT

Christophe Berra was today ruled out of Scotland's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier with Macedonia on Saturday due to illness.

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.

Scots in make-or-break Macedonia clash

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:37:00 GMT

Celtic defender Stephen McManus could lead Scotland in their must-win FIFA World Cup qualifier against FYR Macedonia despite a lengthy absence with injury.

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.

Langfield called up by Scots

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:24:00 GMT

Jamie Langfield has been called up by Scotland for their FIFA World Cup™ qualifying double-header following an injury to Neil Alexander.

Boyd fears for South Africa 2010 hopes

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:33:00 GMT

Finishing second in their South Africa 2010 qualification group may not be enough to keep Scottish hopes alive says national team Tom Boyd.

Smith: Fans will be behind us

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:54:00 GMT

The Scotland supporters can roar the team on to victories over FYR Macedonia and the Netherlands, according to SFA chief executive Gordon Smith.

Macedonia confident of Hampden win

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:20:00 GMT

Macedonia keeper Jane Nikolovski has said that Scotland are now worse than they were when the sides met in their FIFA World Cup qualifying opener.

Scots drinking at last chance saloon

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:44:00 GMT

It's win or bust for Scotland as they approach a decisive home double-header. Stephen McManus, Darren Fletcher and James McFadden look ahead.

O'Connor replaces Kyle for Scots

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:04:00 GMT

Scotland have called up Birmingham City striker Garry O'Connor for their qualifiers against Macedonia and the Netherlands as a replacement for the injured Kevin Kyle.

Loovens earns Holland call-up

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:55:00 GMT

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens has been handed his first call-up by the Netherlands for their upcoming fixtures against Japan and Scotland.

Weir: I couldn't say no to Scotland

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:12:00 GMT

Rangers captain David Weir, 39, has said that he couldn't have faced his children if he had turned down George Burley's call-up to the Scotland squad.

Kyle and Weir win Scotland recall

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:47:00 GMT

Kevin Kyle and David Weir were today recalled to the Scotland squad for the vital South Africa 2010 qualifiers with FYR Macedonia and Netherlands.

McCormack ruled out for Scotland

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:59:00 GMT

Ross McCormack has ruled himself out of Scotland's crunch 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa double-header against Macedonia and the Netherlands.

Big guns deliver as Norway dazzle

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Norway were the day's big winners with a 4-0 victory over Scotland, while Germany and France both edged closer to a place at South Africa 2010.

Burley: Everything went wrong

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:04:00 GMT

Scotland manager George Burley lamented his side's luck in losing 4-0 to Norway but insisted they can still qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Norway crush 10-man Scots

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:17:00 GMT

Norway secured a major boost in their bid to reach the play-offs for South Africa 2010 with a resounding 4-0 win over Group 9 rivals Scotland.

Fletcher: World Cup is the pinnacle

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:43:00 GMT

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher believes an appearance at South Africa 2010 will eclipse anything he has ever achieved at club level.

Norway seek qualification 'miracle'

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:20:00 GMT

Brede Hangeland is looking for another footballing miracle from Egil Olsen against to rescue his country's dream of appearing at South Africa 2010.

Race resumes in Europe

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:09:00 GMT

Norway and Belarus will host Scotland and Croatia respectively amid high stakes, while France and Germany can ill-afford to stumble on their travels.

Gordon: Burley faces tough choice

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:11:00 GMT

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon says he would struggle to pick his replacement for Scotland's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier against Norway.

Burley bemoans Gordon setback

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:33:00 GMT

Scotland manager George Burley admits the absence of Craig Gordon for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway next month would be a "ma

Burley fancies Scotland's chances

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:43:00 GMT

Scotland coach George Burley thinks Scotland are in the driving seat to finish second after all of their Group 9 rivals dropped points this weekend.

Broadfoot blow for club and country

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:41:00 GMT

The injured Kirk Broadfoot has been ruled out of Scotland's forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the start of the 2009/10 season with Rangers.

Boyd rejects Burley call

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:43:00 GMT

Kris Boyd today slammed the door on a Scotland return under George Burley after the manager extended an olive branch to the Rangers striker.

Scots call time on duo

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:12:00 GMT

Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were told their Scotland careers are over, as their breach of team rules drew outrage from fans and officials.

Scots bounce back with Iceland win

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:42:00 GMT

Ross McCormack and Steven Fletcher's first international goals gave Scotland a 2-1 home win over Iceland in their South Africa 2010 qualifier.