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.

Queiroz hails his troops

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:48:00 GMT

Carlos Queiroz has hailed his players' fighting spirit after a battling performance in Bosnia-Herzegovina secured them a spot in South Africa.

Final four win through in Europe

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:33:00 GMT

France, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece were the teams left celebrating at the end of a dramatic evening of play-off action in the European Zone.

Portugal seal South Africa berth

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:53:00 GMT

A second-half strike by Raul Meireles was enough to break Bosnian hearts and send 2006 semi-finalists Portugal through to the FIFA World Cup.

Blazevic plots Portugal's downfall

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:28:00 GMT

Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Miroslav Blazevic has said his team still have a real chance of advancing to the FIFA World Cup by beating Portugal.

Misimovic: Prepared for anything

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with Bosnian playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic for an exclusive interview ahead of the key second leg clash with Portugal.

Bosnia to take attacking approach

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:23:00 GMT

Bosnia-Herzegovina will go on the front foot against Portugal says coach Miroslav Blazevic as the nation attempts to qualify for its first FIFA World Cup.

European qualifiers preview

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:36:00 GMT

France, Portugal and Russia will all carry one-goal advantages into the second legs of their play-offs, while Ukraine and Greece begin level in Donetsk.

Deco: We rode our luck

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:49:00 GMT

Deco acknowledged his side rode their luck as they claimed a win in the first leg of their South Africa 2010 play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Portugal claim narrow advantage

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:14:00 GMT

Portugal have Bruno Alves to thank for the slender lead they have taken into the second leg of their play-off, with the woodwork also helping out.

European trio earn slender leads

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:07:00 GMT

Russia, France and Portugal emerged with narrow one-goal advantages from their play-off first legs, while Greece and Ukraine played out a 0-0 draw.

Euro giants face play-off test

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:25:00 GMT

European giants including Germany 2006 runners-up France, and semi-finalists Portugal, face a test of nerves in their FIFA World Cup play-offs.

Rivals poised for play-off jousts

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:33:00 GMT

A quartet of South Africa 2010 berth remain up for grabs in Europe and will be contested by eight highly-motivated teams in a series of play-offs.

Ronaldo blow for Portugal

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:45:00 GMT

Portugal's South Africa 2010 hopes have been dealt a blow with Cristiano Ronaldo ruled out of the play-off matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Ronaldo to link up with Portugal

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Real Madrid have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to Portugal for an assessment of his ankle injury.

Who will be the play-off heroes?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:17:00 GMT

With five play-offs for places at South Africa 2010 set to commence, FIFA.com wants to know which players you think will star in these crunch ties.

Dzeko: We'll give it everything

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:05:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from Edin Dzeko, the free-scoring Bosnia-Herzegovina star aiming to shoot down Portugal in his nation's forthcoming 2010 play-off.

Portugal include Ronaldo

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:23:00 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the Portugal squad for their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Ronaldo unlikely to face Bosnians

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:46:00 GMT

An ankle injury is likely to keep Cristiano Ronaldo on the sidelines for both legs of Portugal's play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina for a trip to South Africa.

Users expect tense battles

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:44:00 GMT

You clearly feel that the play-offs will all be tight affairs, as only a small minority consider the outcomes clear-cut before a ball has been kicked.

Queiroz: I'm convinced we'll qualify

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:44:00 GMT

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz talks to FIFA.com about Bosnia-Herzegovina, Edin Dzeko, Cristiano Ronaldo and his team's hopes of play-off success.

Ronaldo boost for club and country

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:55:00 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo is confident he will return from injury in time to represent Real Madrid at AC Milan and Portugal at home against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Hotshots lighting South Africa way

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:57:00 GMT

With about 230 days until South Africa 2010 kicks off, 23 teams have secured their spots thanks to a world-class goalscorer or two in their ranks.

Who will win the play-offs?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:43:00 GMT

In this week's Have Your Say debate, FIFA.com wants your opinions on the following question: Who will win the FIFA World Cup play-offs?

Reaction to the play-off draw

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Representatives of the eight countries taking part in next month's European Zone FIFA World Cup play-offs gave their reactions to Monday's draw.

European play-offs wide open

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:47:00 GMT

FIFA.com analyses the four play-off ties in the European Zone by looking at the past as well as the present as South Africa 2010 looms ever closer.

Play-off octet learn their fate

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:14:00 GMT

The much-anticipated draw for the European Zone 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifying play-offs has taken place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

Del Bosque: We have high hopes

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:23:00 GMT

Vicente del Bosque has praised Alvaro Negredo, Iker Casillas and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and spoken about Spain's hopes of winning South Africa 2010.

Negredo's sights on South Africa

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:08:00 GMT

Spain striker Alvaro Negredo has targeted a place in the European champions' FIFA World Cup squad after scoring a double in their 5-2 win over Bosnia.

Seeded four set for play-off draw

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:51:00 GMT

France, Greece, Portugal and Russia will be the seeded teams when the draw for the European Zone play-offs for South Africa 2010 takes place.

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.

Spain run riot in Zenica

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:27:00 GMT

Group 5 winners Spain rounded off their campaign in style, Alvaro Negredo scoring twice in a 5-2 win away to runners-up Bosnia and Herzogovina.

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.

Bosnia-Herzegovina set for playoffs

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:51:00 GMT

Goals from Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic ensured Bosnia-Herzegovina will finish second in Group 5 and progress to the play-offs for a place in South Africa.

European qualifiers preview

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

Ten tickets to South Africa remain up for grabs in Europe, where crucial games are set to unfold in Athens, Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon and Moscow.

Misimovic: I'm sure we'll do it

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:56:00 GMT

FIFA.com speaks to Zvjezdan Misimovic, whose fine form has been key to Bosnia-Herzegovina resting on the verge on securing a play-off berth.

Turkey hoping for a miracle

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:35:00 GMT

Turkey have been left praying for a miracle if they are to reach South Africa 2010, although coach Fatih Terim insists he will not be forced out.

Spanish eyes on South African prize

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:17:00 GMT

Spain have flawlessly booked their passage to South Africa 2010, where they aim to make amends for the disappointment of June 2009.

Salihovic grabs Bosnians crucial point

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:56:00 GMT

Sejad Salihovic's first-half equaliser secured Bosnia-Herzegovina a 1-1 draw at home to Turkey that kept them four points above their opponents in the race for the Group 5 runners-up spot.

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.

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.

Bosnians make no mistake

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:41:00 GMT

Bosnia-Herzegovina kept themselves in the driving seat to finish second in Group 5 by comfortably beating rock-bottom Armenia 2-0 on their travels.

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.

Turkey target mission improbable

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:47:00 GMT

With Bosnia-Herzegovina in line to finish second in Group 5, Turkey need six points from a vital double-header against Estonia and the Bosnians.

Balkan tradition alive and well

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at how Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are joining Croatia in following in the great football tradition of the former Yugoslavia.

Surprises all over the world

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:04:00 GMT

Shockwaves were felt all around Planet Football this week as some of the true powers of the world game fell to unexpected qualifying defeats.