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.

Cech: The draw was very kind to Slovakia

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:31:00 GMT

Marek Cech speaks to FIFA.com about Slovakia’s qualification campaigns for UEFA EURO 2012 and Brazil 2014, life at West Bromwich Albion and his ambitions for the future.

Santos: A good draw for us

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:14:00 GMT

"I have to admit that the draw was a good one for us considering the teams which have been drawn together in other groups,” Greece coach Fernando Santos.

All to play for in Group G

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:25:00 GMT

Group G includes three serious candidates for an automatic berth at the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014: two-time participants Greece, Slovakia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

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.

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.

Stars looking to score

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:30:00 GMT

FIFA.com takes a look at why the likes of Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres and Kaka have failed to open their goalscoring accounts at South Africa 2010.

Slovaks revel in impressive campaign

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:01:00 GMT

Slovakia may have lost in the Round of 16, but coach Vladimir Weiss, his namesake and son, and goalkeeper Jan Mucha were very proud of their campaign.

Robinho rubs it in, Oranje on a roll

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:08:00 GMT

FIFA.com's latest statistical review reflects on a familiarly depressing outcome for Chile against Brazil, and pays tribute to a Netherlands side on a record run of form.

Dutch, Brazil book meeting in style

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:45:00 GMT

The Netherlands impressed in a 2-1 win over Slovakia to set up a quarter-final with Brazil, whose best display of the tournament resulted in a 3-0 defeat of Chile.

Slovakia duo leave with heads held high

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:29:00 GMT

The Slovakia pair looking to claim the Hyundai Best Young Player Award are heading home after the latest in a series of laudable performances. FIFA.com looks back at their final day.

Ousted Slovakia hail 'genius' Robben

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:21:00 GMT

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss had nothing but kind words for the Dutch side that knocked his team out of South Africa 2010, saiving his highest praise for Arjen Robben.

Van Marwijk: Dutch need to bury chances

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:09:00 GMT

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk was pleased with the return of winger Arjen Robben but said that the Dutch will need to finish their chances better if they are to win the tournament.

Returning Robben helps sink Slovakia

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:07:00 GMT

Arjen Robben led the way for the Netherlands as they beat Slovakia 2-1 in Durban on Monday to book a quarter-final date with either Brazil or Chile.

Van der Vaart: The pressure's really on

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:47:00 GMT

Playmaker Rafael van der Vaart spoke to FIFA about his form, the Netherlands' performances in the group stage and their chances of lifting the Trophy.

Slovakia and Chile eye upsets

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

All the pressure will be on the Netherlands and Brazil when they take on Slovakia and Chile, teams who have already achieved a measure of success in reaching the last 16.

Slovakia seek to slay another giant

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:10:00 GMT

Slovakia produced what might have been the upset of the tournament when they defeated Italy 3-2, but now the Slovaks face another tough challenge in the Dutch.

Dutch ready for 'star-less' Slovakia

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:00:00 GMT

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has told his team to buckle down in their second round FIFA World Cup match against a Slovakian side he said lacked any "stars".

Stoch: The pressure will be on the Dutch

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:51:00 GMT

Slovakia go into Monday's second-round game against the Netherlands as the underdogs but, says midfielder Miroslav Stoch, they have "nothing to lose".

Stekelenburg: My turn to shine

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:03:00 GMT

Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg speaks to FIFA.com about the Oranje's miserly defence and emerging from the shadow of Edwin van der Sar.

Netherlands-Slovakia preview

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:10:00 GMT

The Netherlands cruised into the knockout phase. Slovakia started slowly but produced a huge upset to go through. Now they will meet with a place in the last eight at stake.

Hamsik laments Italy exit

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:47:00 GMT

Slovakia's Marek Hamsik feels sorry for Italy after they were dumped out of the FIFA World Cup™ by the European minnows earlier this week.

It ain't over til it's over

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:00:00 GMT

Landon Donovan's dramatic injury-time strike for USA against Algeria was the latest in a long line of FIFA World Cup™ late shows, as FIFA.com discovers.

Vittek: We're on a high

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:42:00 GMT

Following his match-winning display against Italy, Robert Vittek spoke to FIFA about his own form and Slovakia's hopes of going further at South Africa 2010.

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.

Dutch wary of Slovakian spirit

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:24:00 GMT

Robin van Persie admits the Netherlands are wary of the team spirit that saw Slovakia beat defending FIFA World Cup™ champions Italy in the group stage.

Cup-tie fever hits South Africa

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will enter the first round of knockout matches with Uruguay and Korea Republic opening proceedings followed by USA meeting Ghana.

Vittek: Win has moved the goalposts

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:42:00 GMT

Robert Vittek believes Slovakia's shock FIFA World Cup win over Italy has "moved the limits" of what the country can achieve in the game.

Dutch eye Final place

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:41:00 GMT

They have disappointed at many recent tournaments but this Netherlands squad believe they have learned the lessons of the past and are eyeing a place in the Final.

Weiss hails memorable moment

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:09:00 GMT

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss described his team's 3-2 victory over Italy as the second-best day of his life following the birth of his son.

New low for Italy, long-playing Song

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:30:00 GMT

FIFA.com's statistics show that Italy's 2010 campaign will go down as their worst. Cameroon are also heading for home but only after Rigobert Song made history.

Mixed displays from septet

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:55:00 GMT

New Zealand's Tommy Smith, Miroslav Stoch of Slovakia and Cameroonian Vincent Aboubakar made positive impressions as Groups E and F were wrapped up.

Misery for Italy on historic day

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:52:00 GMT

Japan, Paraguay and Slovakia clinched places in the Round of 16 on a day that will be best remembered for Italy, the reigning champions, missing out on the knockout phase.

Criscito: We share the blame

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:34:00 GMT

Italy defender Domenico Criscito said he and his team-mates must shoulder the blame after the world champions crashed out of South Africa 2010 after a 3-2 defeat by Slovakia.

Paraguay delight, Italy despair

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:07:00 GMT

Paraguay and Slovakia made it through, New Zealand made history but the big story in Group F was the elimination of reigning world champions Italy, consigned to the wooden spoon.

Lippi takes the blame

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:04:00 GMT

Coach Marcello Lippi stoop up and took the blame for Italy's group-stage exit from South Africa 2010, saying that he had not prepared his players properly.

Slovakia advance, eliminate Italy

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:03:00 GMT

Slovakia held on for a dramatic 3-2 victory over Italy at Ellis Park that sent them into Round of 16 and eliminated Marcello Lippi's world champions.

Cannavaro calls for improvement

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:35:00 GMT

Captain Fabio Cannavaro is confident "the best is yet to come" from traditional FIFA World Cup slow starters Italy.

Holders Italy under the spotlight

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Italy are living dangerously as they enter their final Group F match against Slovakia still seeking a first win, while in Group E Denmark look to leapfrog Japan.

Hamsik: This game will be like a Final

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:09:00 GMT

Feeling that Slovakia have yet to show their best at South Africa 2010, Marek Hamsik shared his thoughts with FIFA ahead of their final group match with Italy.

Pirlo not fit to start crucial clash

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:43:00 GMT

Italy coach Marcello Lippi indicated that star midfielder Andrea Pirlo will be on the bench against Slovakia but is not fit enough to start.

Slovakia-Italy preview

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:19:00 GMT

Group F has an unfamiliar look to it heading into the final round, with reigning world champions Italy still not guaranteed a place in the last 16.

Referee designations: matches 41-48

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:02:00 GMT

Howard Webb has been handed his second match of South Africa 2010 after being named the man in the middle for the game between Slovakia and Italy at Ellis Park.

More goals, less success?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:16:00 GMT

A high-scoring win at the FIFA World Cup is no guarantee of success, as FIFA.com reveals with a look back through the archives.

Slovakia looking to seize last chance

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:24:00 GMT

After conceding a last-gasp equaliser to New Zealand and losing to Paraguay, Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss admits that morale is low in his side's camp, but they are determined to finish the group stage on a high.

Jakubko accepts Italy challenge

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Slovakia striker Martin Jakubko says there will no surprises when they face Italy in their final FIFA World Cup Group F match on Thursday.

Gilardino: We have the will to win

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:10:00 GMT

Italy striker Alberto Gilardino has told his teammates to step up their game against Slovakia or they will "deserve to go home".

De Rossi demands improvement

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:49:00 GMT

Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi knows that Italy need to improve on the form they displayed during their draws against Paraguay and New Zealand.

Santa Cruz: Team spirit the key

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:13:00 GMT

Roque Santa Cruz believes team spirit lies behind Paraguay's run to the top of Group F and within sight of the last 16 after a 2-0 win over Slovakia.