FIFA.com - News

Costly: Honduras have what it takes

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:14:00 GMT

Honduras ace Carlos Costly sat down for an exclusive chat with FIFA.com, touching on his hopes of reaching Brazil 2014, his new national team coach and how CONCACAF has improved.

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.

Honduras tipped in open quartet

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:03:00 GMT

Honduras will be the team to beat in next year's CONCACAF qualifying Group 3, a wide-open affair with Canada, Cuba and Panama all looking like potential spoilers.

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.

CONCACAF draw stokes regional fires

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:06:00 GMT

The road to Brazil 2014 features some intriguing match-ups in the North, Central America and Caribbean Zone with Round Two featuring several regional derbies and Mexico taking on Costa Rica in Round Three.

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.

Barnetta: Lack of quality cost us

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:57:00 GMT

Switzerland and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta says the nation were not good enough to progress to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™.

Palacios: It's a painful thing

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:01:00 GMT

Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios chatted to FIFA.com about his pride and disappointment after being eliminated at the first hurdle in South Africa.

Red the colour in Group H

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:42:00 GMT

Group H had looked a straightforward proposition for European champions Spain but La Roja had to work hard to progress from a section where Chile caught the eye.

Hitzfeld: Pressure was too much

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:52:00 GMT

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said that nerves got to his players during their disappointing 0-0 draw with Honduras that resulted in both sides' elimination from South Africa 2010.

Picture complete as Iberians advance

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:32:00 GMT

Spain and Portugal marched on to a last-16 showdown while Chile made it a South American clean sweep by also progressing on the final day of group stage action.

Century reached as Europeans slump

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:44:00 GMT

FIFA.com's final statistical review of the group stage features an unlikely scoreline, a milestone goal and reveals a gloomy outlook for the tournament's European contingent.

Blunt Switzerland bow out

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:26:00 GMT

Switzerland's bid to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ ended in Bloemfontein as they failed to dispose of Honduras in a frustrating goalless draw.

Group H goes down to the wire

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:00:00 GMT

European champions Spain have work to do to book their place in the Round of 16 when the curtain falls on Groups G and H with three places still up for grabs.

Honduras to battle for 'honour'

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 22:30:00 GMT

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said he's disappointed with his team's form through two matches and he is treating their meeting with Switzerland as a "match for honour".

Frei vows to play on for Switzerland

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:05:00 GMT

Switzerland captain Alex Frei said that he has no plans to retire from international football, and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld indicated he planned to keep tabs on the Chile-Spain match.

Frei confident Swiss can score

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:52:00 GMT

Switzerland skipper Alexander Frei brushed aside concerns about his team's ability to score goals ahead of their final group match against Honduras.

Switzerland-Honduras preview

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:05:00 GMT

Switzerland and Honduras go into Friday’s final Group H fixture with the same objective: both need a win to stand a chance of progressing.

Rueda hopes to restore pride

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:51:00 GMT

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda expects his team to restore some pride in an unlikely attempt to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ on Friday.

Von Bergen aims to qualify

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:11:00 GMT

Switzerland defender Steve Von Bergen believes the team can defeat Honduras on Friday in Bloemfontein and progress to the last 16.

Torres ready to go the distance

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:30:00 GMT

Fernando Torres is confident he can now fully contribute to Spain's FIFA World Cup cause and hopes his country can reap the benefits of his "perfect" understanding with David Villa.

Del Bosque wants more from Spain

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:12:00 GMT

A David Villa double helped Spain claim their first points of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Honduras but coach Vicente Del Bosque was not happy.

Behrami hopes for another chance

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:12:00 GMT

Switzerland midfielder Valon Behrami is hoping his team-mates can keep his FIFA World Cup dream alive following his sending-off against Chile.

Group H: State of play

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:10:00 GMT

With one round still to play, FIFA.com takes a look at how the race for a Round of 16 berth could pan out. No teams are yet out of the running.

Villa: Penalty miss not due to pressure

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:31:00 GMT

Spain striker David Villa said pressure had nothing to do with his missed penalty kick against Honduras on Monday.

Del Bosque warns Spain must improve

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:14:00 GMT

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque believes that his team needs to improve on their performance against Honduras when they face Chile.

Portugal hit seven, Swiss finally crack

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:25:00 GMT

Portugal routed Korea DPR 7-0, Chile finally breached Switzerland's record-breaking defence and Spain got their first points on the board on Day 11 at South Africa 2010.

Attacking excellence, defensive distinction

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:43:00 GMT

Football's conflicting forces dominate Monday's statistical review, with goalscoring landmarks for David Villa and Portugal and a new defensive record for Switzerland.

Villa gets Spain back on track

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:27:00 GMT

David Villa scored twice but missed a penalty as Spain bounced back from defeat by Switzerland with a 2-0 victory over Group H rivals Honduras at Ellis Park.

Reina: We cannot live in the past

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:16:00 GMT

Spain goalkeeper Jose Reina last night warned his team of European champions could not afford to "live off the past".

Outsiders looking to seize control

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Although Spain were widely backed to take Group H by storm, it is Chile and Switzerland who will battle for top spot in the section after the duo both recorded wins in their initial outings.

Honduras look to imitate Swiss

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:14:00 GMT

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said his side is not tactically similar to Switzerland but can learn from their spirit and determination.

Spain suffer Iniesta injury blow

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:56:00 GMT

Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta will not be fit to take the pitch against Honduras on Monday after suffering a thigh injury.

Del Bosque: We can't relax

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:47:00 GMT

Spain defender Carles Puyol and coach Vicente del Bosque know that the stakes are high for their match with Honduras on Monday.

Guevara: Don't fear Spain

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:38:00 GMT

Honduras captain Amado Guevara has urged his team-mates to play for a famous victory against a Spain side who are "not invincible."

Spain-Honduras preview

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:52:00 GMT

Defeats in their opening Group H games mean that 21 June’s encounter between Spain and Honduras is now vital for both sides’ hopes of reaching the Round of 16 here at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Palacios brothers making history

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 08:40:00 GMT

FIFA hears from Jerry Palacios, the late addition to the Honduras squad who is now making history as one third of the FIFA World Cup's first trio of siblings.

Rueda wary of Spain backlash

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:22:00 GMT

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda is expecting to feel the full force of a Spanish backlash when the two sides meet in Johannesburg on Monday.

Mendoza: Winning is all that matters

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:02:00 GMT

Such are the slim margins of error at the finals of a FIFA World Cup™ that a defeat in your opening group game turns reaching the Round of 16 into an uphill struggle.

Alonso: Honduras match is crucial

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:35:00 GMT

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso admits his side have no room for error against Honduras after starting their FIFA World Cup campaign with a defeat against Switzerland.

Figueroa: Honduras will get better

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:45:00 GMT

Defender Maynor Figueroa says Honduras can rise to the challenge of facing Spain in their second FIFA World Cup™ match on Monday.

Star siblings and a Swiss roll

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:43:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the numbers behind the stories on a landmark day for the Palacios brothers, Chile, Diego Forlan and a steely Swiss defence.

Pain for South Africa and Spain

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:40:00 GMT

Day 6 brought no little drama, with Uruguay denting South African hopes, a shock defeat for European champions Spain, and a piece of history for Chile.

Beausejour ends Chile wait

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Chile ended a wait of almost half a century for a victory on the world stage by defeating Honduras 1-0 in their opening Group H game in Nelspruit.

Favourites enter the fray

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Generally regarded as the favourites for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, Spain’s first appearance in this year’s tournament is Wednesday’s major highlight.

Young guns meet again

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:04:00 GMT

There is a markedly Latin flavour to Group H, with Honduras, Chile and Spain pitted together. But it is not the first time the Spanish-speaking trio have locked horns in the pursuit of success.

Suazo eyeing victory in fitness race

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:00:00 GMT

"We'll give him every chance," said Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda, on his star striker's bid to appear in their Group H opener against Chile.

Duo doubtful ahead of Honduras opener

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:04:00 GMT

Honduras have suffered a fresh injury blow after experienced midfielder Julio Cesar de Leon broke down in training.