FIFA.com - News

Delights and disappointments

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Asian and Caribbean upsets, tight battles in South America and a first-ever win for American Samoa were among the latest qualifying tales as the race for Brazil 2014 heated up.

Navas: Casillas praise pleased me

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:51:00 GMT

Goalkeeper Keylor Navas talks to FIFA.com about receiving praise from Iker Casillas after helping Costa Rica draw with Spain, Los Ticos’ quest to reach Brazil 2014 and his own mission to break into the Levante first team.

Mexico fancied in formidable group

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:43:00 GMT

Reigning CONCACAF champions Mexico will be heavy favourites to reach the next phase of qualifying for Brazil 2014 in a Group B that also includes Costa Rica, El Salvador and surprise package Guyana.

Americans expectant, Wadadli Boyz dream

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:01:00 GMT

USA and Jamaica are the favourites to advance from Group A into the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, but Guatemala have been in fine form and Antigua and Barbuda are eager to continue their fairytale run.

Mexico show muscle, Ticos leave it late

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:37:00 GMT

The second round of games in Group A of the CONCACAF Gold Cup brought another five-star performance from Mexico and a last-gasp draw for Costa Rica.

New World trio push through

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:22:00 GMT

USA finished top dogs in CONCACAF qualifying for the world finals, and will be followed to South Africa by old rivals Mexico and hopeful Honduras.

Ticos left to rue first-leg reverse

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:46:00 GMT

Sadness and resignation: just two of the emotions discussed in the Costa Rican media after the national team's play-off defeat against Uruguay.

Tabarez vows improved Uruguay

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:13:00 GMT

Oscar Tabarez says his Uruguay side will improve considerably ahead of South Africa 2010 following their narrow play-off victory against Costa Rica.

La Celeste clinch last finals berth

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:19:00 GMT

The list of qualified teams for South Africa 2010 was completed by Uruguay, who edged out play-off opponents Costa Rica 2-1 on aggregate.

Uruguay last to the table

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:20:00 GMT

Uruguay drew 1-1 with Costa Rica on Wednesday to seal qualification for South Africa 2010, becoming the final team to book their ticket.

Uruguay out to thwart fightback

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:03:00 GMT

Uruguay have a FIFA World Cup™ berth within their grasp as they welcome play-off rivals Costa Rica to Montevideo but the visitors can draw hope from history as they seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Godin: We're not there yet

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:31:00 GMT

Uruguay hold the advantage in their South Africa 2010 play-off against Costa Rica but defender Diego Godin says there is still hard work ahead.

Ticos target Centenario surprise

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:57:00 GMT

After losing 1-0 at home in Saprissa, Costa Rica now have it all to do to reach South Africa, as they now must beat Uruguay at the fabled Centenario.

Tabarez happy, but not satisfied

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:27:00 GMT

Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez acknowledged his side were far from their best, even after their 1-0 away win against Costa Rica.

Uruguay grab one-goal lead

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:53:00 GMT

Uruguay claimed an important away victory thanks to a goal by Diego Lugano in the first leg of their play-off with Costa Rica.

Ticos awaiting Charrúa challenge

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:39:00 GMT

After narrowly missing out on automatic berths at South Africa 2010, Costa Rica and Uruguay are aiming to respond by triumphing in their play-off.

Los Ticos bouncing back

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:37:00 GMT

Despite their late heartbreak in missing out on direct qualification for South Africa 2010, Costa Rica are determined to make it via the play-offs.

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.

Marin: The dream’s still alive

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:51:00 GMT

Los Ticos let slip a direct passage to South Africa 2010, but the experienced defender remains confident for the two legged play-off with Uruguay.

Tension rules New World marathon

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:19:00 GMT

With the leading quartet separated by just four points, the final round of South Africa 2010 qualifying in CONCACAF was a tight affair indeed.

Tico heartache is Honduran joy

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:34:00 GMT

The last day of CONCACAF qualifying went down to the wire, with a last-gasp goal heaping woe on Costa Rica and sparking celebrations in Honduras.

Late USA goal breaks hearts

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:43:00 GMT

Jonathan Bornstein scored deep into stoppage time to give the USA a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica, denying the Ticos a berth at South Africa 2010.

USA building for South Africa

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:14:00 GMT

USA all-time leading goalscorer Landon Donovan says the team are developing well at this stage of their preparation for South Africa 2010.

Catrachos, Costa Rica face fates

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:24:00 GMT

With just one direct qualifying ticket remaining in the CONCACAF zone, Central Americans Costa Rica and Honduras face a nervy final matchday.

Ticos desperate to end USA drought

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:04:00 GMT

Costa Rican will need to break a 24-year winless streak in the United States if they are to guarantee qualification for South Africa 2010 on Wednesday.

Mexico, USA secure passage

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:07:00 GMT

Mexico and the USA have won their way to South Africa 2010 leaving Costa Rica and Honduras to battle for the remaining automatic qualification berth.

New World giants book berths

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:05:00 GMT

USA and Mexico both booked passage to South Africa 2010 with wins on Saturday night, leaving Honduras and Costa Rica with all to play for.

Simoes: It's not impossible

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:07:00 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with new Costa Rica coach Rene Simoes to discuss why he assumed the reins on short notice and his side's qualification hopes.

Trio out to book tickets

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:22:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the upcoming matchday in the CONCACAF Zone, where USA, Mexico and Honduras could all secure places in South Africa.

USA gather for final South Africa push

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:23:00 GMT

The USA team have gathered in camp as they look to secure qualification in their South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica.

Dempsey in for key USA qualifiers

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 03:04:00 GMT

Bob Bradley has named a strong USA squad for their crucial South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Honduras and Costa Rica this month.

Simoes steps in for Costa Rica

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:04:00 GMT

Struggling Costa Rica have turned to veteran Brazilian boss Rene Simoes as they aim to end a poor stretch and book a place at South Africa.

Kenton axed after Tico slump

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:12:00 GMT

Rodrigo Kenton has been sacked as coach of struggling Costa Rica, FA officials announced at a press conference early in the week.

CONCACAF: Unsettled territory

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:35:00 GMT

FIFA.com breaks down all the permutations in a tense, and still unsettled, South Africa 2010 qualifying race in the CONCACAF Zone.

Tension rules as USA, Mexico surge

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:30:00 GMT

On a night of chewed-up fingernails and three tight 1-0 results in CONCACAF, USA and Mexico moved well clear into first and second place respectively.

El Salvador see off Ticos to stay alive

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:10:00 GMT

Rudis Corrales is the toast of El Salvador after his injury-time winner maintained their South Africa 2010 dreams but severely dented Costa Rica's hopes.

Mexico one step closer

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 06:09:00 GMT

An impressive brace from Giovani dos Santos catapulted Mexico to a 3-0 win in Costa Rica and into an automatic qualifying berth for South Africa 2010.

Mexico fiesta rocks San Jose

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:46:00 GMT

El Tri's revival continued as Gio dos Santos led the way to a 3-0 rout of Costa Rica in San Jose, while the USA and Honduras also posted important wins.

Mexico keen to keep up surge

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Mexico will try to continue their revival against Costa Rica this weekend, while USA face El Salvador and Honduras host Trinidad and Tobago.

El Salvador's uphill task against USA

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:57:00 GMT

El Salvador's Arturo Alvarez is one of three MLS players who will take on regional giants USA in a crucial South Africa 2010 qualifier.

Now or never for Trinidad

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:54:00 GMT

FIFA.com caught up with T&T's Soca Warriors, who are hopeful that they can recover from their slow start and qualify for South Africa 2010.

Ruiz ready for Mexico test

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:57:00 GMT

Costa Rica striker Bryan Ruiz looks forward to Los Ticos' vital FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico, a match he has labelled "a cup final".

Still alive in CONCACAF

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Mexico fought hard to recover from an early deficit to defeat USA, as both Honduras and Trinidad and Tobago revived their bids for South Africa 2010.

Honduras rampant against Ticos

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:21:00 GMT

Honduras turned in a stunning display in front of their home crowd to overwhelm Costa Rica 4-0, boosting their chances of a berth at South Africa 2010.

Mexico seek crucial USA victory

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:36:00 GMT

USA will be looking to break their win-less streak at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Wednesday when FIFA World Cup qualifying action resumes.

Big names back in Honduras fold

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at Reinaldo Rueda's Honduras squad, which has been lifted by returning Europe-based players for the qualifier against Costa Rica.

Ticos keen to stay top

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:07:00 GMT

Costa Rica boss Rodrigo Kenton wants to keep hold of top spot in the hexagonal, as FIFA.com found out ahead of the match with Honduras.

Mexico woe as Ticos roll

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:34:00 GMT

El Salvador spoiled Javier Aguirre's return as Mexico boss, handing El Tri a shock loss on the road, while Costa Rica and USA made strides.

Ticos spoil Latapy's debut

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:42:00 GMT

Celso Borges scored twice to solidify Costa Rica's position at the top of their group and spoil Russell Latapy's debut as coach of Trinidad and Tobago.

Tense times for big two

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:58:00 GMT

With first-place Costa Rica setting the pace in the race to South Africa, Mexico and USA are both looking to play catch-up in this weekend's fixtures.

Kenton cuts four Ticos

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:45:00 GMT

Costa Rica coach Rodrigo Kenton has reduced his squad by four players ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying trip to Trinidad and Tobago.