http://www.mail.com/in-en/subjects/824208-2014-fifa-world-cup.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/in-en/subjects/824208-2014-fifa-world-cup.html http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2108002-eq-guinea-appeals-stripped-world-cup-win.html ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says Equatorial Guinea will appeal being stripped of a World Cup qualifying win against Cape Verde for fielding an ineligible player. Cape Verde was awarded a 3-0 victory after losing 4-3 in Malabo on March 24. No player in Equatorial Guinea's starting lineup was born in the country. FIFA says the African federation "has informed the FI... Fri, 24 May 2013 15:04:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2108002-eq-guinea-appeals-stripped-world-cup-win.html 2013-05-24T15:04:23Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2104956-rosicky-cech-czech-squad-italy-qualifier.html PRAGUE (AP) — Midfielder Tomas Rosicky and goalkeeper Petr Cech have been included in the Czech Republic squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Italy next month. The Czechs need to do well in the June 7 game in Prague to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the tournament in Brazil. Italy leads Group B of European qualifying with a three-point ad... Thu, 23 May 2013 11:50:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2104956-rosicky-cech-czech-squad-italy-qualifier.html 2013-05-23T11:50:32Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2103224-austria-picks-marko-arnautovic-despite-club-ban.html VIENNA (AP) — Austria midfielder Marko Arnautovic was selected Wednesday for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Sweden in June despite not playing club football since being banned by Werder Bremen in April for speeding. Arnautovic and teammate Eljero Elia missed the last four matches of the Bundesliga season after being caught going over the speed limit... Wed, 22 May 2013 17:17:32 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2103224-austria-picks-marko-arnautovic-despite-club-ban.html 2013-05-22T17:17:32Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2091720-column-love-hate-beckham-ignored.html Like his former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, David Beckham has picked the right time and best way to retire — as a winner and before the worst ravages of age became painfully apparent. It always was a stretch to believe that Beckham, at 38, would or should sign up again with Paris Saint-Germain for what would have been his 22nd season of professi... Thu, 16 May 2013 21:48:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2091720-column-love-hate-beckham-ignored.html 2013-05-16T21:48:10Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2090780-ups-downs-david-beckhams-career.html LONDON (AP) — Some up and downs in the career of David Beckham, who said Thursday he would retire from football at the end of the season: Up: Signs professional contract with Manchester United in 1993 and helps team win Premier League-FA Cup double in 1996. United wins league title again a year later. Down: Gets red ... Thu, 16 May 2013 16:24:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2090780-ups-downs-david-beckhams-career.html 2013-05-16T16:24:44Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2060634-blatter-urges-asia-to-seek-world-cup-places.html KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — FIFA President Sepp Blatter urged Asian football authorities on Friday to push for more World Cup berths at the expense of Europe and South America, an issue which could help his own re-election prospects. Blatter said "we have to have a better balance" because the two most powerful continents could provide 19 of the 32 teams... Fri, 03 May 2013 11:14:24 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2060634-blatter-urges-asia-to-seek-world-cup-places.html 2013-05-03T11:14:24Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2059280-pirlo-to-quit-italy-team-2014-world-cup.html TURIN, Italy (AP) — Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo says he will quit the Italian national team after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Pirlo has made 97 appearances for Italy since making his debut against Azerbaijan in 2002, and helped the Azzurri to the 2006 World Cup title. At the presentation of his autobiography "I think therefore I play" on Thursday, P... Thu, 02 May 2013 19:37:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2059280-pirlo-to-quit-italy-team-2014-world-cup.html 2013-05-02T19:37:19Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2053014-clumsy-sepp-blatter-cleared-wrongdoing.html Despite being labeled "clumsy" for his part in one of FIFA's biggest corruption scandals, Sepp Blatter was cleared of any criminal or unethical wrongdoing in a case involving millions of dollars in bribes for World Cup contracts. The reputation of Blatter's predecessor as FIFA president, Joao Havelange, was further damaged, however. The 96-year-old Brazil... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:30:35 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2053014-clumsy-sepp-blatter-cleared-wrongdoing.html 2013-04-30T14:30:35Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2051490-blatter-secure-captain-fifas-ship.html GENEVA (AP) — Borrowing a favorite Sepp Blatter phrase, he seems a happy FIFA president. Blatter will attend the Asian Football Confederation elections this week in Malaysia and his endorsement is eagerly sought by candidates to replace deposed former rival Mohamed bin Hammam as president and FIFA executive committee member. Counting d... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:46:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2051490-blatter-secure-captain-fifas-ship.html 2013-04-29T17:46:23Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2044040-dictators-wcup-title-italy-argentina.html ZURICH (AP) — Football's biggest prize may have twice been won with the help of dictators fixing matches for the host team. Argentina's triumph in 1978 and Italy's 1934 victory were said to be influenced by military leaders seeking propaganda coups, delegates were told Thursday at a symposium entitled "The Relevance and Impact of FIFA World Cups." ... Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:10:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2044040-dictators-wcup-title-italy-argentina.html 2013-04-25T16:10:07Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2039416-nicolas-leoz-leaves-fifa-executive-committee.html GENEVA (AP) — FIFA executive committee member Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay resigned Tuesday, citing health reasons, just days before rulings are expected to be announced in a World Cup kickbacks investigation. FIFA said the 84-year-old Leoz confirmed his departure by letter, and that he would also step down as president of CONMEBOL, the South American footbal... Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:02:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2039416-nicolas-leoz-leaves-fifa-executive-committee.html 2013-04-23T21:02:40Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2028762-column-kiss-goodbye-to-football-we.html PARIS (AP) — Kiss goodbye to football as we know it. In getting machines to help men spot when goals are scored, football is making a mistake. This pact with the devil of goal-line technology will come at a cost to the sport's soul. Policed solely by humans, football can offer lessons on life for those prepared to listen. ... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:30:12 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2028762-column-kiss-goodbye-to-football-we.html 2013-04-18T17:30:12Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2028264-fifa-declares-libya-safe-to-host-wcup-qualifiers.html ZURICH (AP) — FIFA authorized Libya to host World Cup qualifying matches, saying Thursday the country is safe enough for its first international home games since the uprising which ousted Moammar Gadhafi. "FIFA has decided to reauthorize matches in Libya," the governing body said, after the Confederation of African Football previously recommended approval... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:10:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2028264-fifa-declares-libya-safe-to-host-wcup-qualifiers.html 2013-04-18T15:10:07Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2025786-sp-warns-russia-high-costs-2018-world-cup.html MOSCOW (AP) — Many of the Russian cities hosting the 2018 World Cup will have trouble finding the money to build soccer stadiums and improve transit links and other infrastructure, the Standard & Poor's ratings agency has warned. Seven of the 11 Russian host cities will have to borrow money or receive much more support from the federal government than is ... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:38:40 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2025786-sp-warns-russia-high-costs-2018-world-cup.html 2013-04-17T18:38:40Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/news/world/2023468-boston-bombs-raise-worries-olympics-world-cup.html LONDON (AP) — From London to Sochi to Rio de Janeiro, the deadly bomb attacks on the Boston Marathon raised new concerns Tuesday over safety at major sports events around the world, including the Olympics and World Cup. The twin bombings near the marathon finish line that killed three people and injured more than 170 people brought into sharp focus the se... Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:29:16 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/news/world/2023468-boston-bombs-raise-worries-olympics-world-cup.html 2013-04-17T00:29:16Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2015592-fifa-sets-august-nireland-vs-russia.html ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says Russia will play Northern Ireland in a twice-postponed World Cup qualifier on Aug. 14 in Belfast. Russia had been scheduled to host Argentina on that date in a friendly in Moscow. FIFA says it agreed to the rescheduled World Cup date after meeting with officials from Northern Ireland and Russia on Wednesday. ... Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:12:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2015592-fifa-sets-august-nireland-vs-russia.html 2013-04-12T13:12:44Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2012914-epl-to-use-hawk-eye-spain-germany-stall-tech.html MANCHESTER, England (AP) — The English Premier League on Thursday became the first national competition in world football to approve the use of goal-line technology, with Hawk-Eye being deployed at stadiums from next season. The Spanish and German leagues, however, said they would hold off from giving referees high-tech aids for at least two years, while ... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:41:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2012914-epl-to-use-hawk-eye-spain-germany-stall-tech.html 2013-04-11T22:41:10Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2012594-croatia-4th-fifa-rankings-brazil-to-19.html ZURICH (AP) — Croatia made a big move to No. 4 in the FIFA rankings after two World Cup qualifying wins, and tournament host Brazil dropped to No. 19 on Thursday. World and European champion Spain led an unchanged top three, ahead of Germany and Argentina, after a busy month of World Cup qualifying. Croatia's victories over Serbia and Wales lifted it five... Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:38:14 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2012594-croatia-4th-fifa-rankings-brazil-to-19.html 2013-04-11T09:38:14Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2010046-fifa-charges-eq-guinea-ineligible-player.html ZURICH (AP) — Equatorial Guinea faces being stripped of a World Cup qualifying victory against Cape Verde for fielding an ineligible player. FIFA said on Wednesday it opened a disciplinary case against the football federation of Equatorial Guinea, after its 4-3 win in Malabo on March 24. None of the Equatorial Guinea starting lineup was born there, though... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:27:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2010046-fifa-charges-eq-guinea-ineligible-player.html 2013-04-10T11:27:34Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/entertainment/lifestyle/2010126-ebu-tv-rights-wcup-euro-qualifying.html MANCHESTER, England (AP) — UEFA's marketing partner has sold television rights to qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup and 2016 European Championship to the European Broadcasting Union. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino says the deal struck by CAA Eleven covers 30 European countries. The EBU then has to split the games with its member broadcast... Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:29:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/entertainment/lifestyle/2010126-ebu-tv-rights-wcup-euro-qualifying.html 2013-04-10T09:29:48Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2005788-english-fa-finds-evidence-racism-fans.html LONDON (AP) — The English Football Association will report to FIFA that it has found no evidence of racist chanting toward Rio and Anton Ferdinand by England fans during a World Cup qualifier against San Marino last month. A complaint was made to FIFA by anti-racism group FARE following reports supporters sang during the March 22 game that the Ferdinand b... Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:56:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2005788-english-fa-finds-evidence-racism-fans.html 2013-04-08T16:56:45Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2001004-fifa-world-cup-qualifying-clean-fixing.html ZURICH (AP) — FIFA's top investigator believes the 2014 World Cup qualifying program has been clean of match-fixing after more than 500 matches played so far. "Up to now we don't have any leads that any match has been thrown," FIFA security director Ralf Mutschke told The Associated Press on Friday. "We are also confident that nothing will happen through... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:48:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/2001004-fifa-world-cup-qualifying-clean-fixing.html 2013-04-05T18:48:38Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984194-uefa-urges-players-to-speak-racism.html SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — UEFA wants players to speak out against their own teammates and fans following a series of racist incidents at football matches. The executive committee of European football's ruling body also called for tougher sanctions on Thursday, hours before a European fans' monitoring group, Fare, said it sent FIFA reports of "racist or xenop... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:04:26 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984194-uefa-urges-players-to-speak-racism.html 2013-03-28T18:04:26Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984792-roma-captain-francesco-totti-wants-contract.html ROME (AP) — Roma captain Francesco Totti is hoping to renew his contract with the club as soon as possible and has not ruled out making an Italy comeback for next year's World Cup. Totti has spent his entire career at Roma, and there was a party atmosphere at the club's training ground Thursday as players celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Serie A deb... Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:36:17 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1984792-roma-captain-francesco-totti-wants-contract.html 2013-03-28T17:36:17Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1983096-barcelonas-pedro-10-days-with-leg-injury.html BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez will be sidelined for 10 days and miss the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals after injuring his leg while playing for Spain in a World Cup qualifier. The Catalan club said Wednesday that "tests have confirmed that the player has small muscle fiber tears" in his left leg. Pedro scored ... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:23:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1983096-barcelonas-pedro-10-days-with-leg-injury.html 2013-03-27T20:23:51Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982900-italy-wants-argentina-friendly-dedicated-to-pope.html ROME (AP) — Lionel Messi's Argentina playing Mario Balotelli's Italy in a friendly dedicated to newly elected Pope Francis. That's something Italy coach Cesare Prandelli would like to see. "We've played friendlies with all the best national teams, only Argentina is missing," Prandelli said Wednesday, a day after Italy's 2-0 win over Malta in a World Cup q... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:14:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982900-italy-wants-argentina-friendly-dedicated-to-pope.html 2013-03-27T19:14:44Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982840-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html PARIS (AP) — Doing just enough to win but no more can be the measure of a team that is strong and in control. Or it can suggest that a team doesn't have that much more to give. Which is it with Spain? The world and European champions appear to be developing a tendency to be at their brilliant best only intermittently. One day, perhaps as soon as the World... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:23:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982840-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html 2013-03-27T18:23:05Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982662-expectations-match-reality-england.html LONDON (AP) — The English need to realize they aren't as good as they, or FIFA, think they are. Despite a FIFA ranking as the fourth-best football team, England is in danger of missing out on becoming one of the 32 finalists at the 2014 World Cup to the disbelief of fans who feel the side has a near-divine right to qualify. What seemed... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:18:25 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982662-expectations-match-reality-england.html 2013-03-27T18:18:25Z http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982630-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html PARIS (AP) — Doing just enough to win but no more can be the measure of a team that is strong and in control. Or it can suggest that a team doesn't have that much more to give. Which is it with Spain? The world and European champions appear to be developing a tendency to be at their brilliant best only intermittently. One day, perhaps as soon as the World... Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:37:02 GMT http://www.mail.com/in-en/sports/soccer/1982630-column-spain-dazzle-to-win-world-cup.html 2013-03-27T17:37:02Z