FIFA.com - News

Toshack: A huge challenge

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:06:00 GMT

FYR Macedonia coach John Toshack speaks to FIFA.com about facing up to Wales in the Brazil 2014 qualifiers and about the scale of the task facing him in developing his team into a force to be reckoned with.

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.

Speed: Wales' sights on 2014

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:04:00 GMT

Wales manager Gary Speed speaks to FIFA.com about rebuilding a team that has plumbed new depths over recent years, and explains why he's hopeful of better times ahead.

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.

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.

Toshack: I'm pleased with the result

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:39:00 GMT

Wales coach John Toshack has revealed his satisfaction at their 2-0 win in Liechtenstein, and praised strike duo Jermaine Easter and Simon Church.

Wales bow out in style

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:32:00 GMT

Goals from David Vaughan and Aaron Ramsey earned Wales a 2-0 success away to Liechtenstein in a match between sides playing only for pride.

Hiddink eyes fitting finish

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:38:00 GMT

Russia coach Guus Hiddink says that playing for pride should be motivation enough when his side negotiate their final qualifier in Azerbaijan.

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.

Wales withdrawals continue

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Coach John Toshack believes Wales will struggle to "ever qualify" if the recent rash of injuries, retirements and withdrawals continues unabated.

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.

Finland see off Wales

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:29:00 GMT

Goals from Roni Porokara and Niklas Moisander handed Finland a 2-1 Group 4 win over Wales, for whom Craig Bellamy was the player on target.

Russia prevail in Cardiff

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:19:00 GMT

Wales gave everything they had, but Russia's greater experience took Guus Hiddink's men closer to the South Africa 2010 finals.

No room for error in Group 4

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:21:00 GMT

Germany and Russia will hope to avoid any costly slip-ups when they meet Azerbaijan and Wales respectively in FIFA World Cup qualifying action.

Collins: Welsh youngsters must deliver

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:36:00 GMT

James Collins has said that it is time for Wales' golden generation of youngsters to start producing results to match their promise.

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.

Koumas exits Wales stage

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:10:00 GMT

The Wrexham-born Wigan midfield man, currently sidelined through injury, has said farewell to the Welsh national team after picking up 34 caps for his country.

Toshack: Collins a future Wales captain

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:28:00 GMT

James Collins has been earmarked by John Toshack as a future Wales captain after battling back from injury to earn a big-money move to Aston Villa.

Wales seek cure to Millennium bug

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:54:00 GMT

John Toshack has urged his Wales side to beat Russia at the Millennium Stadium, and his superiors to seek an alternative home venue.

Toshack recalls senior trio

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:28:00 GMT

Wales boss John Toshack has recalled senior players Craig Bellamy, Jason Koumas and Boaz Myhill to his squad for the qualifier against Russia.

Collison to play in Russia clash

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:10:00 GMT

Jack Collison will play for Wales in their FIFA World Cup qualifier at home to Russia next week despite the recent death of his father.

Ledley sees bright future for Wales

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:04:00 GMT

Wales skipper Joe Ledley views his side's 1-0 win over Azerbaijan in their FIFA World Cupqualifier as evidence of a youthful future for his country.

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.

Toshack praises young side

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Wales manager John Toshack had nothing but praise for his young team after the first away win of their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

Youthful Wales edge Azerbaijan

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:23:00 GMT

A young Wales team claimed their first away win of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a well-deserved 1-0 win in Azerbaijan.

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.

Prince wishes Wales well

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:07:00 GMT

Prince Andrew has met up with the Wales squad and wished them well ahead of their South Africa 2010 qualifier against Azerbaijan.

Toshack calls on young trio

Fri, 22 May 2009 13:16:00 GMT

John Toshack has named three uncapped youngsters in his squad for Wales' next two internationals, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup trip to Azerbaijan.

No fine for outspoken Podolski

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:38:00 GMT

Lukas Podolski has escaped a fine despite his on-field argument with captain Michael Ballack during the 2-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.

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.

Germany stroll to victory

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:36:00 GMT

Germany took another ominous step towards South Africa 2010 but at least Wales' youngsters were not humiliated at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Bellamy out of Germany clash

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:37:00 GMT

Wales captain Craig Bellamy has been ruled out of tonight's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier against Germany with a knee injury.

Jansen leaves Germany squad

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:13:00 GMT

Germany midfielder Marcell Jansen has been ruled out of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium with the flu.

Low wary of 'wounded' Wales

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:05:00 GMT

Germany coach Joachim Loew has compared Wales to a 'wounded fighter who wants to retaliate' in the build-up to Wednesday's qualifier in Cardiff.

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.

Low shows faith in duo

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:40:00 GMT

Joachim Low has said that he is set to recall goalkeeper Robert Enke and striker Mario Gomez for Saturday's qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Injured Bellamy still in Wales squad

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Wales forward Craig Bellamy has been included in John Toshack's squad for their forthcoming South Africa 2010 qualifiers, despite being injured.

Toshack extends Welsh contract

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:56:00 GMT

John Toshack has extended his contract as Wales manager for a further two years, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced.

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.

Low: Mission accomplished

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:48:00 GMT

Germany coach Joachim Low is delighted to be ending the year on top of his FIFA World Cup qualifying group, after Germany's victory over Wales.

Trochowski strike sinks Welsh

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:55:00 GMT

Piotr Trochowski unleashed a superb second-half strike to seal a 1-0 win over Wales on Wednesday and put Germany four points clear.

Toshack: Germany is our true test

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:17:00 GMT

Wales coach John Toshack said Wednesday's test against Germany could make or break their bid to reach South Africa 2010.

Bale: There's no pressure on us

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:34:00 GMT

Germany will be the firm favourites to win at home on Wednesday, which Wales wingback Gareth Bale believes will work in his side's favour.

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?

England to rejig defence

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:27:00 GMT

England will have to deal with defensive absences in Belarus on Wednesday, while Germany sweat over the fitness of Michael Ballack.

Ballack a doubt for Wales clash

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:50:00 GMT

Germany captain Michael Ballack is an injury doubt for Wednesday night's qualifier against Wales after damaging a calf muscle.

Wales toil to Liechtenstein win

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:09:00 GMT

Wales struggled to clinch a 2-0 victory over minnows Liechtenstein on Saturday to keep their hopes of reaching South Africa 2010 alive.

Enke out for three months

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:02:00 GMT

Robert Enke will be out for three months after undergoing surgery for a broken hand and will miss Germany's qualifiers against Russia and Wales.