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.

Olsen: It could have been worse

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:16:00 GMT

"Things could have turned worse for us, even though getting Cyprus and Iceland out of pots five and six will make it a tricky group," Egil Olsen, Norway coach.

Trio targeting top spot

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:28:00 GMT

The race for first place promises to be an enthralling tussle as Group E pits together three sides – Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland – in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking top 30.

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 FIFA World Cup in pictures and videos

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:18:00 GMT

What better way to relive the 2010 FIFA World Cup thank to take a few moments flicking through our hundreds of exclusive photos and videos from the month-long tournament?

A tournament of firsts

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 03:13:00 GMT

South Africa 2010 was bursting with unprecedented events in a whole range of areas, from team results to player landmarks. FIFA.com now takes you through a full list of firsts.

South Africa 2010: 32 teams, 32 stories

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:13:00 GMT

Join FIFA.com as we take a look back at all of the 32 sides that contributed to the football extravaganza that was South Africa 2010.

The adidas Golden Ball: a look back

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:05:00 GMT

The adidas Golden Ball is just days away from being announced. FIFA.com takes a trip down memory lane to recall previous winners of the accolade.

All the right moves

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:34:00 GMT

FIFA.com's Move of the Day section showcases all the best examples of top-class individual technique exhibited by the biggest names in FIFA World Cups™ present and past.

Barnetta: Lack of quality cost us

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:57:00 GMT

Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta says the nation were not good enough to progress to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™.

Goal-shy Swiss head for home

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:33:00 GMT

Switzerland set a defensive record in South Africa but managed only one goal at the other end, making it easy to work out why they are heading home early.

Underdogs fire early warnings

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:31:00 GMT

With France and Italy having already found themselves on the end of early upsets, FIFA.com takes a look at the dark horses of the tournament who are out to upset the odds.

Red the colour in Group H

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:42:00 GMT

Group H had looked a straightforward proposition for European champions Spain but La Roja had to work hard to progress from a section where Chile caught the eye.

Hitzfeld: Pressure was too much

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:52:00 GMT

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said that nerves got to his players during their disappointing 0-0 draw with Honduras that resulted in both sides' elimination from South Africa 2010.

Picture complete as Iberians advance

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:32:00 GMT

Spain and Portugal marched on to a last-16 showdown while Chile made it a South American clean sweep by also progressing on the final day of group stage action.

Century reached as Europeans slump

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:44:00 GMT

FIFA.com's final statistical review of the group stage features an unlikely scoreline, a milestone goal and reveals a gloomy outlook for the tournament's European contingent.

Blunt Switzerland bow out

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:26:00 GMT

Switzerland's bid to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ ended in Bloemfontein as they failed to dispose of Honduras in a frustrating goalless draw.

Group H goes down to the wire

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:00 GMT

European champions Spain have work to do to book their place in the Round of 16 when the curtain falls on Groups G and H with three places still up for grabs.

Honduras to battle for 'honour'

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:30:00 GMT

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said he's disappointed with his team's form through two matches and he is treating their meeting with Switzerland as a "match for honour".

Frei vows to play on for Switzerland

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:05:00 GMT

Switzerland captain Alex Frei said that he has no plans to retire from international football, and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld indicated he planned to keep tabs on the Chile-Spain match.

Frei confident Swiss can score

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:52:00 GMT

Switzerland skipper Alexander Frei brushed aside concerns about his team's ability to score goals ahead of their final group match against Honduras.

Switzerland-Honduras preview

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:05:00 GMT

Switzerland and Honduras go into Friday’s final Group H fixture with the same objective: both need a win to stand a chance of progressing.

Swiss back on the attack

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:26:00 GMT

Switzerland almost certainly require a win over Honduras in their last match to progress from the group and it's for this reason why Ottmar Hitzfeld has called for a change in mentality.

Von Bergen aims to qualify

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:11:00 GMT

Switzerland defender Steve Von Bergen believes the team can defeat Honduras on Friday in Bloemfontein and progress to the last 16.

Behrami hopes for another chance

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:12:00 GMT

Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami is hoping his team-mates can keep his FIFA World Cup dream alive following his sending-off against Chile.

Group H: State of play

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:10:00 GMT

With one round still to play, FIFA.com takes a look at how the race for a Round of 16 berth could pan out. No teams are yet out of the running.

Portugal hit seven, Swiss finally crack

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:25:00 GMT

Portugal routed Korea DPR 7-0, Chile finally breached Switzerland's record-breaking defence and Spain got their first points on the board on Day 11 at South Africa 2010.

Attacking excellence, defensive distinction

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:43:00 GMT

Football's conflicting forces dominate Monday's statistical review, with goalscoring landmarks for David Villa and Portugal and a new defensive record for Switzerland.

Swiss retain hope in defeat

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:52:00 GMT

Switzerland may have gone down to defeat against Chile but Benjamin Huggel summed up the mood in the camp when saying: "It's in our own hands."

Gonzalez downs brave Swiss

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:57:00 GMT

Substitute Mark Gonzalez gave Chile a 1-0 victory in Group H over a dogged Switzerland side who played the final hour of the match with ten men.

Hitzfeld keeps players grounded

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:27:00 GMT

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said that they will not take anything for granted against Chile after their shock win over Spain.

Nkufo: Spain still the favourites

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:37:00 GMT

Switzerland forward Blaise Nkufo talks to FIFA about his return from international exile, Ottmar Hitzfeld's work as coach, and the significance of Africa's first FIFA World Cup.

Outsiders looking to seize control

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Although Spain were widely backed to take Group H by storm, it is Chile and Switzerland who will battle for top spot in the section after the duo both recorded wins in their initial outings.

Bielsa plotting Swiss downfall

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:37:00 GMT

Marcelo Bielsa looks to do with Chile what he could not do with Argentina in 2002 - lead them out of the group stage and into the last 16.

Fuentes: No margin for error

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:15:00 GMT

Chile defender Ismael Fuentes warns that La Roja need maximum points against Switzerland after their opponents threw Group H wide open by beating Spain.

Swiss eager to avoid hangover

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:54:00 GMT

After beating Spain, Switzerland's players are determined to keep their feet on the ground as they look to their second Group H game against Chile.

Frei praying jinx is behind him

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:26:00 GMT

He has had his problems at previous tournaments and South Africa 2010 began with him injured again, but now Alexander Frei is fit and raring to go for Switzerland.

Chile-Switzerland preview

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:27:00 GMT

Port Elizabeth is set to play host to an intriguing clash of styles on 21 June, when Chile take on Switzerland in their second Group H encounter at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Red-hot Chile favourites, says Hitzfeld

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:43:00 GMT

Chile will start as favourites against Switzerland in Monday's FIFA World Cup Group H match, Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said on Saturday.

Benaglio: We need to kick on

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:13:00 GMT

Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio has warned their surprise win over FIFA World Cup favourites Spain will count for nothing if they fail to reach the last 16.

Alonso: Honduras match is crucial

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:35:00 GMT

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso admits his side have no room for error against Honduras after starting their FIFA World Cup campaign with a defeat against Switzerland.

Ziegler: Organisation is key

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:20:00 GMT

Switzerland's organisation is crucial to their hopes of following their win over Spain with two results that will carry them into the knockout rounds, said Reto Ziegler.

Senderos injury blow for Swiss

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:39:00 GMT

Switzerland's win over Spain has turned out to be bitter-sweet with Philippe Senderos' injury expected to keep him out for at least two matches.

Fernandes stunned by Swiss success

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:04:00 GMT

Switzerland hero Gelson Fernandes was as surprised as everyone else after netting the winning goal in his team's historic triumph over Spain.

Star siblings and a Swiss roll

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:43:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the numbers behind the stories on a landmark day for the Palacios brothers, Chile, Diego Forlan and a steely Swiss defence.

Pain for South Africa and Spain

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:40:00 GMT

Day 6 brought no little drama, with Uruguay denting South African hopes, a shock defeat for European champions Spain, and a piece of history for Chile.

Swiss fear worst for Senderos

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:40:00 GMT

Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos will undergo tests on his injured ankle after coming off in the first half of his team's 1-0 win over Spain.

Swiss happy to accept Spanish 'gift'

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:29:00 GMT

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said that Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Spain was a "gift we're happy to accept".

Luck deserts dominant Spanish

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:17:00 GMT

"The last pass was missing," Spain playmaker Xavi Hernandez lamented after a frustrating afternoon against Switzerland for the European champions.

Swiss shock kings of Europe

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:06:00 GMT

Switzerland pulled off the biggest surprise so far at this FIFA World Cup™ as Gelson Fernandes's second-half strike downed Spain.

Favourites enter the fray

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Generally regarded as the favourites for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, Spain’s first appearance in this year’s tournament is Wednesday’s major highlight.