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.

Bento: We're not the favourites

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:22:00 GMT

"We’re not favourites: Russia have a lot of talented individuals and Israel have proven they are very dangerous opponents for any team,” Portugal coach Paulo Bento.

Portugal and Russia renew rivalry

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:43:00 GMT

Group F features a couple of heavyweights in the form of Portugal and Russia who will both see themselves as destined for top spot, but the likes of Israel and Northern Ireland will look to rock the boat.

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.

Russia held in Azerbaijan

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Andrei Arshavin was on target as Guus Hiddink's Russia concluded their Group 4 qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan.

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.

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.

Azerbaijan claim first away win

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:22:00 GMT

Azerbaijan moved off the bottom of South Africa 2010 qualifying Group 4 courtesy of their first ever away win at the expense of Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

Low targets Moscow triumph

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:05:00 GMT

Following a 4-0 win over Azerbaijan, Germany coach Joachim Low says his side must go on the attack against Russia in next month's crucial encounter.

England, Spain cruise through

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:02:00 GMT

England and Spain sealed tickets to South Africa 2010 in style, while Portugal threw themselves a lifeline and Slovakia sprinted towards qualification.

Germany edge closer to South Africa

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:41:00 GMT

Germany edged closer to securing a place at next year's FIFA World Cup finals with a comfortable victory over Azerbaijan in Hanover.

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.

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.

Gomez winning fitness race

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:43:00 GMT

A scorer in 5 September's friendly win over South Africa, the Bayern Munich front-man sparked concerns after withdrawing with a knee injury at the break.

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.

Pasanen completes Finnish fightback

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:07:00 GMT

After falling behind in Azerbaijan, a late Petri Pasanen goal snatched Finland a 2-1 win that maintained their slim chances of reaching South Africa 2010.

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.

Ballack to consider international future

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:49:00 GMT

Michael Ballack, for so long Germany's talisman, has revealed he will decide whether or not to continue representing his country after South Africa 2010.

Ballack: Germany must improve

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:59:00 GMT

Germany captain Michael Ballack has said that he and his team-mates must improve if they are to be a force to be reckoned with at the FIFA World Cup.

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.

Germany consolidate section lead

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose were on target as Germany won 2-0 in Azerbaijan to go four points clear of Group 4 challengers Russia.

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.

Happy returns for Vogts

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:53:00 GMT

Germany legend Berti Vogts speaks about returning as Azerbaijan boss to the nation in which he earned fame and fortune as player and coach.

Klose fitness boost for Low

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:44:00 GMT

Germany striker Miroslav Klose has been declared fit for the Group 4 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku on Wednesday evening.

Ballack on duty for Germany

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:32:00 GMT

Germany captain Michael Ballack will figure in next week's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan despite being short of match fitness.

Low contract talks on hold

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Germany coach Joachim Low has said he is not interested in discussing a new contract until his side have qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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.

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.

Comfortable win lifts Russian hopes

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:21:00 GMT

Roman Pavlyuchenko and Konstantin Zyryanov goals earned Russia a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan, raising their hopes of a place in South Africa.

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.

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.

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.

Baxter's bittersweet debut

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:07:00 GMT

Finland coach Stuart Baxter looks back on his first competitive match in charge, a dramatic 3-3 draw with Germany, and ahead to future challenges.

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.

Vokes rescues Wales

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:41:00 GMT

Teenage striker Samuel Vokes came off the bench to score a late winner as Wales beat Azerbaijan 1-0 in their opening FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Europe up and running

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:01:00 GMT

England needed two-goal hero Joe Cole to beat Andorra on a day when France lost to Austria and Italy needed a little luck to beat Cyprus.

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.

Low (GER): Our aim is to finish first

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:43:00 GMT

Joachim Low: "It's an interesting group. With all respect to the other teams, our aim has got to be to finish first and qualify for the World Cup directly."

Germany and Russia start as favourites

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:57:00 GMT

Germany and Russia are the favourites in European qualifying Group 4, although both teams must overcome one or two tricky hurdles.

Europe stirs preliminary passions

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 12:39:00 GMT

In our feature examining the history of FIFA World Cup preliminaries, FIFA.com reflects on Europe's most memorable and dramatic qualifiers.