FIFA.com - News

Ecuador hit four, Chile bounce back

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 03:16:00 GMT

It was honours even between Argentina and Bolivia in La Paz, while wins elsewhere for Ecuador, Chile and Venezuela boosted this trio's hopes of making it to Brazil 2014. FIFA.com reflects on the South American action.

Argentina held by struggling Bolivia, trio win

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:46:00 GMT

Group leaders Argentina needed to come from a goal down to earn a share of the spoils against second-from-bottom Bolivia in La Paz, while Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile all secured important wins later in the evening.

Trips for top two, Chile host Uruguay

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:40:00 GMT

Chile host Uruguay in what looks set to be a crucial game in the hunt for an automatic South American FIFA World Cup™ qualification place, while leaders Argentina visit Bolivia and Colombia travel to Venezuela.

Messi wary of Bolivia

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:34:00 GMT

Lionel Messi has been speaking about the tricky trip to face Bolivia in La Paz, while other players and coaches in the South American Zone have been assessing their chances.

Raldes: Argentina are even better now

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:41:00 GMT

Following a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Colombia, FIFA.com spoke to Bolivia captain Ronald Raldes about the potential of bouncing back against current CONMEBOL leaders Argentina.

Argentina and Colombia pull clear

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:16:00 GMT

There were emphatic wins for Argentina and Colombia on Matchday 11 of the South American qualifying competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Separated by four points, the duo are now clear at the top of the table.

Five-star Colombia go second

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 23:03:00 GMT

Colombia remained firmly on course for an automatic FIFA World Cup berth after sweeping Bolivia aside to head into second place in the CONMEBOL qualifying group.

South American hopefuls enter final straight

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:53:00 GMT

The Clásico del Pacífico between Peru and Chile is just one of the highlights of the Matchday 11 programme in South America on Friday.

Ponzio gets Argentina call

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:22:00 GMT

River Plate midfielder Leonardo Ponziohas been called up by Alejandro Sabella for Argentina's qualifying double header against Venezuela and Bolivia.

Peruvian player suspended for anti-doping rule violation

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:04:00 GMT

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided today to suspend the Peruvian international footballer Joel Melchor Sánchez Alegría a period of two years after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine.

Peruvian player provisionally suspended for prohibited substance

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:47:00 GMT

A Peruvian international footballer has been provisionally suspended for an initial period of 30 days following an adverse analytical finding in relation to a doping control conducted in the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifier.

Argentina lead but all still to play for

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:46:00 GMT

Aside from La Albiceleste, who have a firm grip on top spot, the South American qualifying section for the FIFA World Cup™ 2014 in Brazil has been a rollercoaster ride throughout 2012.

Saucedo, Bolivia’s late bloomer

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:24:00 GMT

Bolivia's 33-year-old forward Carlos Saucedo talks about his remarkable goalscoring debut for his country against Uruguay in which he netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 win.

Argentina clear as Bolivia, Paraguay win

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 03:48:00 GMT

In the latest South American Zone qualifiers for Brazil 2014, Argentina cemented their position at the top and lowly Bolivia and Paraguay both won to stay in contention.

Uruguay stumble again as Bolivia, Venezuela rise

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 01:51:00 GMT

2010 FIFA World Cup™ semi-finalists Uruguay's fell to fifth in Brazil 2014 qualifying with a heavy 4-1 defeat in Bolivia, while Venezuela moved into the fourth and final automatic qualifying spot with a 1-1 home draw against Ecuador.

Bolivia keeper Suarez out of Uruguay game

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:01:00 GMT

Surgery following a bout of appendicitis will keep Bolivia's first-choice keeper Hugo Suarez on the sidelines when Uruguay visit La Paz.

Argentina, Ecuador eye further progress

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:16:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to South American FIFA World Cup™ qualifying, where Argentina will be looking to build on their impressive run, while Ecuador will hope to take advantage of Colombia's absence.

Caicedo, Falcao & Messi star as leaders pull clear

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:12:00 GMT

Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador broke clear at the top of the South American qualifying thanks to respective doubles from Lionel Messi, Radamel Falcao and Felipe Caicedo.

Messi and Falcao on song in South America

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:47:00 GMT

Lionel Messi and Radamel Falcao both scored twice as Argentina and Colombia remained on path for Brazil 2014 qualification after wins over Uruguay and Paraguay respectively.

Crucial showdowns loom in South America

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:30:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to the ninth round of fixtures in South American qualifying for Brazil 2014, with the latest River Plate derby between Argentina and Uruguay the pick of the ties.

Colombia thrash Uruguay, Ecuador edge Bolivia

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 05:10:00 GMT

Teofilo Gutierrez scored twice as Colombia beat Uruguay 4-0, while Ecuador saw off Bolivia and Peru fought back to overcome Venezuela.

Argentina lead the way

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 05:05:00 GMT

FIFA.com recaps Friday’s four Brazil 2014 qualifiers in South America, which all went the way of the home sides, with Argentina taking over at the top of the group.

Test for Uruguay, debuts for coaches

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:02:00 GMT

Matchday 7 in the CONMEBOL qualifying competition for Brazil 2014 features a testing trip for Uruguay and debuts for Bolivia and Paraguay’s new coaches. FIFA.com has the details.

Azkargorta: I couldn't turn down the call

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:01:00 GMT

'Never go back' is a common saying, but one Xabier Azkargorta was happy to ignore. The 58-year-old is back with Bolivia and caught up with FIFA.com to answer a few questions.

Changes at the top see Chile lead

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:39:00 GMT

FIFA.com reviews a weekend that saw Chile register a second successive away win to lead the South American standings, while a thriller in Montevideo sees Uruguay follow closely behind in the race for Brazil 2014.

Chile reach summit, first win for Bolivia

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 10:38:00 GMT

Two late goals gave Chile a 2-0 victory in Venezuela and moved La Roja to the top of qualifying in South America, where Bolivia claimed their first win by beating Paraguay 3-1.

Trio bidding to topple Argentina

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 10:03:00 GMT

With leaders Argentina not in action, Chile, Venezuela and Uruguay can all knock La Albiceleste off the top of the South American Zone standings in Brazil 2014 qualifying.

Argentina dominant, Uruguay held

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 02:11:00 GMT

Matchday 5 of the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014 proved to be a good one for Argentina, who moved to the top of the table thanks to their win and Venezuela’s draw with Uruguay.

Venezuela grab draw, Chile win

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 02:03:00 GMT

Salomon Rondon scored in the 84th minute to snatch a 1-1 draw for Venezuela with Uruguay in South American qualifying for Brazil 2014, while Chile claimed a 2-0 win over Bolivia.

Top four meet as Pekerman steps out

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:32:00 GMT

Matchday 5 of the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014 features matches between the leading quartet in the table and Jose Pekerman’s competitive debut as Colombia coach.

South American qualifying in numbers

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:10:00 GMT

Minutes, years, goals and games… they’re all involved as FIFA.com takes a statistical look at South American qualifying for Brazil 2014.

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.

A start to remember

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:55:00 GMT

With 2011 coming to a close, FIFA.com takes a look back at the opening rounds of the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014, in which coaching casualties, upsets and sumptuous goals all featured.

Venezuela, Argentina move top

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:34:00 GMT

A lone goal from Oswaldo Vizcarrondo lifted Venezuela equal top in Brazil 2014 qualifying alongside Uruguay, and also Argentina who defeated Colombia earlier in the evening.

Tight at the top as Messi fires Argentina

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:45:00 GMT

One point separates the top five teams in the South American Zone, with Argentina lying second after Lionel Messi helped them conjure up a win in Colombia.

Chile, Ecuador look to bounce back

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:06:00 GMT

Jose Rojas has said he will be looking for victory over Paraguay tomorrow as Chile look to bounce back from defeat to Uruguay, while Ecuador hope to do similar against Peru.

Messi: The boos hurt

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:21:00 GMT

Lionel Messi has revealed his disappointment at Argentina’s 1-1 draw at home to Bolivia, discussed the reaction of the fans and stressed that La Albiceleste must win their upcoming qualifier in Colombia.

Suarez shines as Uruguay rout Chile

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:34:00 GMT

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez turned in a stunning virtuoso performance by scoring all four goals as Uruguay overwhelmed Chile 4-0, while Argentina could only draw with Bolivia and Paraguay beat Ecuador.

Uruguay cut loose, Argentina frustrated

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:53:00 GMT

South American qualifying leaders Uruguay thrashed Chile to shrug aside any 11/11/11 ill omens, though it was a lean day for Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador.

Uninspired Argentina draw at home

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:40:00 GMT

Argentina were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home by Bolivia in the third round of the South American qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.

Aguero doubt for qualifiers

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:49:00 GMT

Key striker Sergio Aguero is in doubt for Argentina's upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifiers against Bolivia and Colombia after he pulled up in training with a groin problem.

Higuain: We must get over defeat

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:02:00 GMT

Gonzalo Higuain has said Argentina must put their defeat to Venezuela out of their minds when they face a Bolivia side who he feels will look defend doggedly in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires.

Hosts favoured in reunion round

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:10:00 GMT

Argentina-Bolivia, Paraguay-Ecuador and Uruguay-Chile may have ended all square at this year’s Copa America, but the home sides will be confident of victory given their impressive records in the fixture.

Zabaleta: I model myself on Zanetti

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:43:00 GMT

Pablo Zabaleta chats to FIFA.com about succeeding Javier Zanetti in the Argentina team, their alleged defensive weaknesses and upcoming Brazil 2014 qualifiers against Bolivia and Colombia.

Uruguay hit front as Argentina crash

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:56:00 GMT

A draw in Asuncion took Uruguay clear at the top of the table, while Venezuela and Colombia earned respective historic wins over Argentina and Bolivia, and Chile bounced back.

Colombia, Chile kick-start campaigns

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:53:00 GMT

Colombia scored an important 2-1 win in Bolivia, Chile bounced back to form against Peru, while Uruguay collected a hard-won point in Paraguay on the second day of 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying in South America.

A derby and a debut in South America

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:10:00 GMT

The start of Colombia’s campaign and the clash between Chile and Peru in the Pacific derby are the main talking points ahead of Matchday 2 in the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

Home sides dominate in South America

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:51:00 GMT

Uruguay and Argentina shrugged off the rain to start their Brazil 2014 qualifying campaign with big home wins, while Ecuador and Peru also saw off their guests.

Uruguay begin finals bid with win

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:26:00 GMT

Copa America winners Uruguay got their 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualifying campaign off to the perfect start as they beat continental outsiders Bolivia 4-2.

South America ready for the big kick-off

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:21:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks ahead to Matchday 1 in the South American qualifiers for Brazil 2014, widely expected to be the most open preliminary competition to date.

The South American qualifiers explained

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 19:09:00 GMT

The CONMEBOL qualifying competition for Brazil 2014 gets underway on Friday, and FIFA.com explains the format of the star-studded, nine-team tournament.