Soccer: Breaking Stories and all the latest in Soccer from FIFA

Here is the latest in Soccer News from FIFA.

2016 World Champion will be crowned at the Apollo Theater

The next FIFA Interactive World Cup champion will be crowned at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater!

Away teams find points in Africa
Record winners Al Ahly and the last two champions,TP Mazembe and ES Setif, were held to away draws in the first round of the continent’s biggest club competition.

Rashidov: I don’t want to be the second Shatskikh
FIFA.com speaks with the rising star of Uzbekistan football Sardor Rashidov about the White Wolves’ Russia 2018 campaign and much more.

Canada qualify for Jordan 2016

Canada became the third and final team from CONCACAF to qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 after a 4-2 win over Haiti in the match for third place at the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship in Grenada.

Bremer: A star in the making

Germany prodigy Pauline Bremer speaks exclusively with FIFA.com about her Olympic ambitions and goals for her country at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016.

Next week on FIFA.com

From exclusive interviews to the latest on the top international competitions, and from FIFA news to updates on women’s football and the development of the game, FIFA.com has the features, videos, pictures and stats to satisfy football fans again this week.

Castellanos, Venezuela’s teenage veteran

Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos, joint-top scorer at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, caught up with FIFA.com to discuss the past two years, and her hopes for Jordan 2016.

Perfumo, from lathe operator to football legend

Roberto Perfumo, one of the greatest centre-backs in Argentinian football history, died on 10 March in Buenos Aires. A classy defender who was also tough as nails, he played in two FIFA World Cups, as well as the Olympic Games. FIFA.com tells you his story.

Happy Birthday to you!

In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names in football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week, including a French superstar and a Uruguayan schemer.

2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup bidding process underway

The FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 may be looming large on the horizon, but work is already underway to lay the foundations for the next edition in 2020.

The Week in Quotes
In FIFA.com’s latest weekly collection of world football’s best sound bites, we get a scientific look at Leicester City’s impact on the city, Jetro Willems takes a rather humourous approach to picking his dream five-a-side team and Gianluigi Buffon’s latest achievement is given the Star Wars treatment.

Mexico, USA qualify for Jordan 2016

Mexico and USA became the first two countries from the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) zone to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Jordan 2016 after winning their respective semi-final matches at the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship.

Mexico book ticket to Jordan

Mexico became the first country from the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) zone to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Jordan 2016 after reaching the final of the CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship. El Tri beat Haiti 3-0 in the semi-finals in Grenada.

Basile Boli’s seven wonders

Imposing central defender in his playing days and recently-appointed Olympique Marseille club ambassador Basile Boli gives FIFA.com insight on seven talented forwards he came up against during his 15-year career.

Lloyd looks back at Canada 2015

In our interactive video interview on FIFA.com, we invited Carli Lloyd to look back at selected moments from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015™ and review the tournament once more.

Sweden’s women make experience count to claim Olympic spot

We review the UEFA qualifiers for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, where the Swedes stood firm to secure first place and in doing so, booked their ticket to Rio 2016.

Dempsey: Stay focused, stay hungry

USA International Clint Dempsey made a surprise appearance at Seattle’s THE NINETY for the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2016 Host Country Qualifier and FIFA.com sat down with the three-time FIFA World Cup™ competitor for an exclusive interview about attending the Seattle event, his performance on the virtual pitch and handling the pressure come tournament time.

Value of mega sports events for sustainable development discussed at UN
At a recent high-level event at the United Nations in New York, the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committees joined Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and other representatives from the sporting world to discuss the value of hosting mega sports events for sustainable development.

Spartak Stadium kicks off separate waste collection in preparation for Russia 2018

As part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup in 2018, FC Spartak Moscow and the Russia 2018 Local Organising Committee (LOC) have launched a project to separate and manage waste at Spartak Stadium, which will host the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Papua New Guinea sanctioned after failing to play Olympic qualifier
The Papua New Guinea Football Association has been fined CHF 10,000 and issued with a warning following the withdrawal of its women’s national team from the second leg of the OFC qualifying play-off match against New Zealand for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

African favourites join the action
TP Mazembe and other giants join the CAF Champions League for the first round, which begins this weekend.

Sasaki and Japan part ways

Norio Sasaki has confirmed he has left his position on Wednesday following Japan’s failure to qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Rio later this year.

Official Emblem and Slogan unveiled for Papua New Guinea 2016
The Official Emblem and Slogan for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016 was unveiled in an event held today, 8 March, at the Laguna Hotel in Port Moresby.

Pozzo prepares Azzurri push
Every week in the build-up to Russia 2018, FIFA.com will be highlighting a classic FIFA World Cup image. We continue with a look back to the 1934 Final and one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Realism hand-in-hand with ambition for Belarus

FIFA.com caught up with Aleksandr Khatskevich, head coach of Belarus since taking charge in December 2014, whose side are currently enjoying their highest position in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking since 2013.

FIFA Executive Committee agenda announced
The agenda for the FIFA Executive Committee meeting, which will take place in Zurich on 17 and 18 March 2016, is now available on FIFA.com.

FIFA steps up prevention measures in the fight against doping
In recent months, FIFA has launched a series of prevention initiatives as part of its ongoing efforts to keep football free from doping.

Peak Performance
FIFA’s Performance programme has been helping its Member Associations become more efficient, accountable and self-sustainable, assessing how a federation operates from an organisational and commercial standpoint. Kyrgyzstan has been a shining example of the success the Performance programme can deliver.

Eto’o’s eye-opening trip
In late 2015, Samuel Eto’o travelled to west Africa to see the impact of FIFA’s health campaigns, the impact ebola has had in the likes of Sierra Leone and promote ‘FIFA 11 for Health’. This video documents the Cameroonian legend’s journey.

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Host Cities get their own unique signature look
Each one of the 11 Host Cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ have acquired a signature look: unique and familiar imagery created in the style of the Official Look for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ that will help the cities to show off their cultural values, architecture and natural beauty.

Glory for USA, Canada and Austria
FIFA.com reviews a massive week of international action including silverware for USA, Canada and Austria.

Australia and China book Olympic spots
Australia and China PR have claimed Asia’s two places at the 12-team Olympic Women’s Football Tournament Rio de Janeiro 2016 with one matchday of the qualifying competition remaining.

Asia’s strength in depth heightened amid Rio charge
FIFA.com reviews AFC qualifying for the 2016 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Rio as Australia and China PR achieved their goals, while there was a shock for Japan.

Sweden seal Europe’s last ticket to Rio

Sweden will join France and Germany as in Rio de Janeiro this summer after qualifying for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, sealing Europe’s final spot at the 12-team competition.

Urena: Goalscoring is my business

FIFA.com sat down with Costa Rica striker Marcos Urena, who recalls scoring at Brazil 2014 and looks ahead to Los Ticos’ double header against Jamaica in CONCACAF Zone qualifying for Russia 2018.

Argentina’s other Gala winner

FIFA.com spoke to the Argentinian Juan Manuel Cordoba about his experience at January’s FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala – his prize for winning FIFA Ultimate Trivia 2015.

El Profe Lopez: Guatemala’s class act
While many of today’s elite players have been natured since single digits solely to play football, but for Guatemala’s Dennis Lopez he was juggling life as a teacher before he got his big break. Now, as he tells FIFA.com, El Profe has his eyes on the FIFA World Cup.

Jordan 2016 LOC launch ‘You are Player Number 12’

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 Local Organising Committee launch the ‘You are Player Number 12’ campaign, calling on Jordanian fans from around the Kingdom to show their support during the upcoming tournament.

Applauding the enemy

FIFA.com takes a look back at some moments of footballing brilliance by players that have brought the opposing team’s fans to their feet, with Ronaldo, Pele, Alessandro Del Piero and Ronaldinho all featuring.

Bursting, bouncing and bulletproof
A Brazilian imitating an NFL king, a boy wonder in Brittany, the end of an extraordinary reign and insuperability Stateside feature in FIFA.com’s latest stats review, along with a ‘bouncing’ farewell and 30×3.

Russian football’s special mother
For most of us, a mother is someone who will always be there to support us in victory and defeat but for Leonid Slutsky, the head coach of Russia and CSKA Moscow, his mother, Ludmila, played an even greater role. FIFA.com tells her story on International Women’s Day.

Elleray: This should reduce controversy and confusion

FIFA.com caught up with former English Premier League referee David Elleray to discuss the new edition of the Laws of the Game, presented at the 130th AGM of the IFAB in Cardiff.

Women’s football on the rise in Malawi
On this International Women’s Day, we show the strides being made in Malawi in terms of developing the feminine form of the game.

Amuneke: Nigeria can repeat 1996 heroics
Emmanuel Amuneke speaks to FIFA.com about the 1996 Men’s Olympic Tournament, when the Nigerian ‘Dream Team’ beat Brazil and Argentina in back-to-back thrillers to become the first African team to win a gold medal.

Three tickets to Jordan up for grabs in Africa
Three teams from Africa will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 with Morocco-Ghana, South Africa-Nigeria and Cameroon-Egypt playing in head-to-head ties to determine who will book their tickets to the finals.

Spanish-inspired Vietnam eager to shock the world
FIFA.com speaks with Spaniard Bruno Formoso who has lead Vietnam to historic qualification to the world stage for the first time.

FIFA President calls for “ambitious targets” for women in decision making roles
FIFA President Gianni Infantino today urged the football community to embrace further quotas to increase the number of women in decision-making roles, in order to help secure the future of the game.

Pizarro: My dream is to reach the World Cup with Peru

Does a 37-year-old footballer still have dreams? Claudio Pizarro certainly does. FIFA.com caught up with the captain of the Peru national team to discuss qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and his secret to staying fit.

Jonathan Dos Santos keeping past misfortune at bay

FIFA.com caught up with Jonathan Dos Santos to discuss his career to date, and the misfortune that has seemingly followed the Mexican international wherever he has been, and how he has used his setbacks to fuel his desire to reach the very top.

Goal of the Tournament: It’s time to vote!

The shortlist is up. Watch the six best goals scored in online qualification, vote for your favourite and help decide the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2016 Goal of the Tournament!

Next week on FIFA.com

From exclusive interviews to the latest on the biggest international competitions, what is happening at FIFA, women’s football and the development of the game, not to mention videos, pictures and statistics. FIFA.com will have everything you need to indulge your passion for football once again this coming week. Check out what is in store!

FIFA Women’s Football and Leadership Conference to be streamed live

The second edition of the FIFA Women’s Football and Leadership Conference will take place at the Home of FIFA on Monday 7 March, and you can watch it live right here on FIFA.com.

Happy Birthday to you!
This week in our regular birthday round-up we feature a trio of players who compete at the FIFA World Cup in 1978, as well as an American wall from 1978 and one Africa’s greatest platers.

Infantino: We have taken a historic decision

The International Football Assocation Board (IFAB) convened in Cardff for its 130th Annual General Meeting, with topics from video assistant referees (VARs) to the so-called ‘triple punishment’ of a red card, penalty and ban for denying a goalscoring on the agenda.

Boquete: Thailand was a turning point

In the build-up to this year’s FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups, FIFA.com will be profiling some of the tournaments’ notable graduates. Spain star Veronica Boquete shines in the spotlight this week.

The Week in Quotes
In FIFA.com’s latest weekly collection of world football’s best sound bites, we get honest reaction from players and coaches following Manchester City’s League Cup win, Brandi Chastain talks about her latest and most significant contribution to football and we get a few colourful takes from players looking forward to the new Major League Soccer season, which kicks off on Sunday.

Gao: China can be optimistic for the future
FIFA.com speaks with recently appointed China PR coach Gao Hongbo about the team’s Russia 2018 prospects and the long-term growth of the game in the world’s most populous nation.

Zimbabwe

For Zimbabwe, Rio 2016 will be their first appearance on a global footballing stage, having previously always fallen short in the qualification competition for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Goal of the Tournament: It’s time to vote!

The shortlist is up. Watch the six best goals scored in online qualification, vote for your favourite and help decide the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2016 Goal of the Tournament!

Gulati: Empowering women improves the overall sport

FIFA.com caught up with US Soccer President and FIFA Executive Committee member Sunil Gulati about development in women’s football ahead of his participation in the second edition of the FIFA Women’s Football and Leadership Conference.

Marketing workshop held for Jordan 2016 sponsors and host cities

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 held a workshop for sponsors and representatives of host cities Amman, Zarqa and Irbid.

FIFA.com set to live stream the 130th IFAB AGM
FIFA.com and FIFA TV on YouTube will be streaming live the 130th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Saturday 5 March, bringing you all the latest updates and exclusive content from Cardiff.

Cruz Blanco: This is just the beginning
A challenge has been thrown out to the graduates of the first-ever FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP): to reach for the top in football and inspire the next generation of women to come.

Infantino: Football without the fans is nothing
As new FIFA President Gianni Infantino begins life in his new role, he sat down for an interview on his first day in the office to talk fans, the FIFA World Cup and the future of football.

Argentina’s future in safe hands with Rulli

FIFA.com spoke with Real Sociedad shot-stopper Geronimo Rulli, who has his sights set on being Argentina’s No1 at Rio 2016.

Sasic: Retiring was a decision I made for myself
Celia Sasic speaks to FIFA.com about hanging up her boots just weeks after finishing top scorer at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and what life has been like since.

VIDEO: Gianni Infantino interview

During his first day in office, Monday 29 February, FIFA President Gianni Infantino gave an exclusive interview to FIFA.com at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

Kim Little, the low-profile world-beater

FIFA.com hears from the player Hope Solo and Laura Harvey describe as “the best in the world”, Kim Little, on her American and Australian adventures and the quest to reach a major tournament with Scotland.

Venezuela and Armenia on the up

The March edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was marked by few changes in the top 50, with most teams yet to play in 2016.

Beswick: Sport will be dominated by psychological advancement in next 20 years
FIFA.com spoke with sports psychologist Bill Beswick to learn about his journey and his vision for psychology and mental development to play as big a role in football as technical and tactical development.

Ryan Giggs: 25 years in the limelight
To mark the 25th anniversary of Ryan Giggs’ Manchester United debut, FIFA.com looks back through the Welsh legend’s extraordinary career in pictures.

Sevens, a schoolboy and an old blond
A pearl by the Pennines, a relic in Rotterdam and a Gallic goal-getter in Mexico feature in FIFA.com’s latest stats review, along with the ending of one sequence in France and extension of another in Colombia.

CONCACAF youngsters aiming for Amman

FIFA.com previews the 2016 CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship, which is set to kick off in Grenada on Thursday, where eight teams will vie for three tickets to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 later this year.

International teams head for the sun
FIFA.com previews two traditional highlights of the annual women’s football calendar – the Algarve and Cyprus Cups.

FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer assesses preparations in Papua New Guinea
FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer Prof. Jiří Dvořák recently visited Papua New Guinea to assess the progress of medical-related preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup which will be held in the country from 13 November to 3 December 2016.

Football stars bring joy to Russian orphans
Youngsters from orphanages who took part in the charity initiative organised by the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Organising Committee and FIFA have received signed letters and cards from football stars.

Bayern march on as Atletico close the gap
In a largely quiet weekend of club football in the women’s game, important games were played at both ends of the top divisions in Spain and Germany. FIFA.com rounds up the action.

FIFA-mandated study by CIES analyses football governance of leagues, clubs
CIES has published a FIFA mandated research project analysing league-club relationships and issues concerning internal club governance.

Tight race for the last European Olympic spot
Excitement and close-fought matches are guaranteed as four teams inside the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking top 20 prepare to battle it out for the last available place in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at Rio 2016.

Football top priority on FIFA President’s first day

Men’s and women’s football stars from all over the world travelled to Zurich to kick off new FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s first day in office.

Passarella at the pinnacle
Every week in the build-up to Russia 2018, FIFA.com will be highlighting a classic FIFA World Cup image. Our latest photograph shows Daniel Passarella making history for Argentina in 1978.

Football and Film
FIFA.com takes a look at just some of the films down the decades featuring the round-ball game as a central theme.

Inaugural edition of Female Leadership Development Programme to conclude in Amsterdam
The first intake of participants in FIFA’s Female Leadership Development Programme (FLDP) will graduate this week, with the third and final module taking place in Amsterdam.

African favourites fight their way through
Nigeria’s Enyimba and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa were among the big winners in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after overturning first leg defeats to advance.

Glittering Stars and Stripes headline February
FIFA.com looks at all the action from February in Women’s Football, headlined by USA’s latest triumph in CONCACAF, club news from Germany and Australia, plus much more.

Gertze leading the way in Namibia
Jackey Gertze has proven herself a force as the head of women’s football at the Namibia Football Association, and her participation at the first edition of the Female Leadership Development Programme has her ambitious for more.

FIFA World Football Museum celebrates opening

In an intimate ceremony in front of some 100 guests, the FIFA World Football Museum was opened to the general public on Sunday 28 February at Zurich’s Enge Station.

Asian sextet on starting blocks

FIFA.com looks ahead to the AFC qualifiers for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016, which has been described as a ‘mini World Cup’, where two spots are up for grabs at the Olympics this summer.

Happy Birthday to you!

In our regular Sunday feature we preview the week’s upcoming footballing birthdays as a Belgian Red Devil with three FIFA World Cups under his belt, a German champions at Brazil 2014 and a member of A Seleção all celebrating.

Next week on FIFA.com

From exclusive interviews to the latest on the biggest international competitions and all the details of the new FIFA President’s assumption of office, FIFA.com has plenty in store for you this coming week.

Two players, one goal: Rio!

We caught up with Sweden’s Lina Nilsson and Norway’s Elise Thorsnes, looking ahead to the battle for the final women’s place at Rio 2016 and recalling their own Olympic experiences in 2008 and 2012.

The Week in Quotes
In FIFA.com’s latest weekly collection of world football’s best sound bites, we hear from an apologetic Alexi Lalas, Lionel Messi discusses friendship, Zinedine Zidane tells us when he knows to shut up, Steven Gerrard explains his decision to become a newspaper columnist, and of course, words from new FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Asian sextet on starting blocks

FIFA World Football Museum to welcome first guests
The FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, Switzerland, will open to the public at 12.00 noon on Sunday 28 February.

Valeria Taburenko: World Cup mascot can unite country

FIFA.com introduces fans to the three finalists of the campaign to design the Official Mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. Their work will be put to a nationwide vote in autumn 2016, which will determine the tournament’s mascot. Today we learn all about Valeria Taburenko from Saint Petersburg State University of Technology and Design.

Van Marwijk inspiring Saudi awakening

FIFA.com looks at Saudi Arabia’s recent rise up the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking under Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk.

Shocks galore as Iran reclaim Asian crown
The 2016 AFC Futsal Championship culminated in yet another victory for Iran, who beat host nation Uzbekistan in the final.

Acting President Hayatou attends confederation meetings, urges support for reforms
Acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou and Acting Secretary General Markus Kattner are spending today (Thursday 25 February) attending the meetings of all the six confederations in Zurich that habitually take place around FIFA Congresses.