FIFA.com - News

Panama, Costa Rica win as USA survive Azteca

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 06:07:00 GMT

Panama beat Honduras to take a surprise lead at the top of the CONCACAF Hexagonal, while USA picked up a historic point against ailing arch-rivals Mexico at the Azteca and Costa Rica found their form at home.

Statement on USA-Costa Rica

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:35:00 GMT

FIFA have released a statement after having received a letter via email and fax from the Costa Rica FA concerning their recent FIFA World Cup qualifier against USA.

All eyes on CONCACAF’s clasico

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:12:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews all the action as Mexico host arch-rivals USA on Tuesday at the Azteca in the main event of CONCACAF’s Hexagonal Matchday 3, when unbeaten Honduras, Jamaica and Panama try to keep up their form.

Mexico meltdown as USA remain cool

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:02:00 GMT

Matchday two of CONCACAF's Hexagonal qualifying for Brazil 2014 proved to be typically tight as USA edged Costa Rica in the snow, while Mexico wilted in the Honduran heat and Jamaica frittered away a lead to draw with Panama.

Take two for New World giants

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:49:00 GMT

With only a point to share between them, CONCACAF giants USA and Mexico get back to qualifying action this week, with the pressure on to find their feet. FIFA.com takes a closer look at Matchday 2 of the Hexagonal stage.

Guzan and the long wait

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:37:00 GMT

With injury forcing No1 Tim Howard out, USA's Brad Guzan is thrust into the limelight for the upcoming qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico. He talks to FIFA.com about playing the waiting game for club and country.

Saborio: We’ve got what it takes to reach Brazil

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:10:00 GMT

Costa Rica and Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio, the leading scorer in the CONCACAF Zone qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about his country's qualification chances.

Klinsmann’s USA in the Hexagonal firing line

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:05:00 GMT

Jurgen Klinsmann vowed to make USA “more proactive,” but a recent loss to Honduras in their opening final-round qualifier rocked the regional giants as they take aim at a seventh straight FIFA World Cup™.

Jamaican joy as USA, Mexico suffer

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:42:00 GMT

USA lost on the road in Honduras, while Mexico were held at the Azteca by plucky Jamaica. FIFA.com wraps up all the action as the Hexagonal is up and running.

Sextet prepare for Hexagonal battle

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:12:00 GMT

Mexico, USA, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras are all in action on Wednesday as CONCACAF’s notorious final ‘Hexagonal’ qualifying round kicks off.

Perez: The time is now for Panama

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:53:00 GMT

Panama international striker Blas Perez speaks to FIFA.com about his career with the national side, the current state of the squad and his hopes for the remainder of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.

Navas: Things are being done the right way

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:41:00 GMT

Costa Rica are preparing to take on Panama next Wednesday in a crunch Brazil 2014 qualifier, with goalkeeper Keylor Navas in confident mood that Los Ticos are hitting form at just the right time.

Guimaraes: Past lessons must be learned

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:58:00 GMT

FIFA.com chats with Costa Rica's two-time FIFA World Cup™ coach Alexandre Guimaraes about his new career at Tianjin Teda, Los Ticos hopes for Brazil 2014 and more.

Mexico rule roost in CONCACAF’s 2012

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Mexico won all six of their games in the semi-final round of 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying, and they will join USA, Jamaica, Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica in the hunt for places at Brazil 2014 in the New Year.

Hexagonal fixtures confirmed in CONCACAF

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 03:23:00 GMT

The fixtures for final six-team (Hexagonal) round of Brazil 2014 qualifying in CONCACAF are now known, with USA opening against Honduras on the road and Mexico hosting Jamaica.

Joy of six in CONCACAF

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:14:00 GMT

USA, Jamaica, Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica all got the results they needed to join mighty Mexico in the final six-team hexagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Moment of truth for CONCACAF pack

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:48:00 GMT

Five teams will join in-form Mexico in the final six-team hexagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014 after a tense set of games on Tuesday night. FIFA.com previews what promises to be a nail-biting evening.

Relief for USA as Ticos resurrect campaign

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 05:48:00 GMT

On a night when Panama and El Salvador failed to book early passage to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, USA and Costa Rica claimed crucial wins on the road.

All on the line in CONCACAF

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:23:00 GMT

Jurgen Klinsmann's struggling USA need to keep their nerve on Friday, while El Salvador and Panama will aim to join Mexico in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Alas: Maturity the key to beating Costa Rica

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 13:05:00 GMT

El Salvador captain Dennis Alas spoke to FIFA.com ahead of his side’s crunch Brazil 2014 qualifier against Costa Rica on his hopes for making the CONCACAF hexagonal round and the FIFA World Cup™.

Goal king Saborio leads Ticos by example

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 03:45:00 GMT

Their top scorer in CONCACAF qualifying for Brazil 2014, Alvaro Saborio remains confident that Costa Rica can win their next two games and stave off early elimination.

Hernandez header sends Mexico through

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 06:53:00 GMT

Mexico became the first team to book their place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ thanks to a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica.

Mexico first to advance

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 06:13:00 GMT

Narrow winners over Costa Rica, Mexico became the first side to reach the final six-team phase, while Cuba were the first to be eliminated. FIFA.com relives Tuesday’s action in the CONCACAF Zone.

Medford hopeful of Azteca repeat

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:06:00 GMT

FIFA.com sets the scene for Costa Rica’s visit to the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday by talking to Hernan Medford, the man who scored to give Los Ticos their only ever win there, in 2001.

Mexico stand firm, Jamaica sink USA

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 06:13:00 GMT

Though there were away wins for Mexico and Honduras, CONCACAF heavyweights USA went down in Kingston while Canada put the brakes on fast-starting Panama as FIFA.com reviews the action.

Jamaica upset USA, Mexico cruise

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 04:59:00 GMT

Jamaica recovered an early deficit to beat USA in Brazil 2014 qualifying, while Mexico defeated Costa Rica 2-0 to move closer to progression, Honduras won 3-0 in Cuba and Canada edged Panama.

Ruiz, the making of a Tico creator

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:52:00 GMT

FIFA.com talks to Costa Rica and Fulham creator Bryan Ruiz about the long road to stardom and the ups and downs of the fickle world of football.

USA held as Mexico win again

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:13:00 GMT

USA and Jamaica were held to draws by Guatemala and Antigua and Barbuda respectively, while Mexico claimed their second win in Brazil 2014 qualifying in CONCACAF.

Mexico, Panama prosper as USA slip up

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:18:00 GMT

USA let a lead slip in Guatemala, while Panama and Mexico kept up their winning ways. FIFA.com takes a look back at this week's Brazil 2014 qualifying action in CONCACAF.

Hernandez urges Mexico to improve

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:43:00 GMT

Javier Hernandez has called on Mexico to up their game away to El Salvador, while coach Jose Manuel de la Torre remains unconcerned about previous results in San Salvador.

Hard road ahead for USA, Mexico

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:17:00 GMT

USA face a tough trip to Guatemala, while Mexico travel to El Salvador for a must-win match. FIFA.com previews the latest round of CONCACAF qualifying.

USA, Mexico triumph as Ticos draw

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 07:00:00 GMT

USA and Mexico got their Brazil 2014 qualifying campaigns off to winning starts, while a ten-man Canada side narrowly overcame Cuba, and Costa Rica were held to a 2-2 draw by El Salvador.

CONCACAF giants out of the gates

Sat, 09 Jun 2012 05:31:00 GMT

Mexico and USA both earned 3-1 wins in their first Brazil 2014 qualifiers on Friday, while Canada and Panama picked up valuable points on the road.

Underdogs wait as Mexico, USA enter fray

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:15:00 GMT

FIFA.com previews the third round of Brazil 2014 qualifiers in North, Central America and the Caribbean, in which Mexico and USA will begin their campaigns against rank outsiders.

Campbell: We owe Costa Rica's fans

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:18:00 GMT

Though not yet 20 years of age, Arsenal forward Joel Campbell is already a leading figure in Los Ticos' bid to reach Brazil 2014. He spoke to FIFA.com.

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.