For many footballers January is a time when suitcases are packed and transfer deals signed. Anxious for a new challenge or surplus to requirements, a host of players have been on the move in the first few days of 2013, returning to places they once called home or checking into pastures new. FIFA.com rounds up who has gone where ... Read More »

Later this month, Ethiopia will return for their first CAF Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 31 years, a victory in itself. However, the Walya Antelopes were drawn into a tough group that will see them face off against Burkina Faso, holders Zambia, two-time African champions Nigeria. And yet, after spectacularly upsetting Benin and Sudan in qualifying – each time on ... Read More »

At the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2012, where Lionel Messi was voted the world’s finest player for the fourth year in a row, was held on 7 January 2013 at the Kongresshaus in Zurich. What’s more, this most memorable and elegant of events produced a host of remarkable moments both on-stage and off. Striding across the red carpet in the ... Read More »

In a season of few surprises in the Premier League, the results of one club have stood out above the rest: West Bromwich Albion. The Midlands club, located on the outskirts of Birmingham, have played second fiddle to neighbours Aston Villa for so long. Now under new manager Steve Clarke they have created a platform to aspire for much more ... Read More »

The 2012 FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) winner, Alfonso Ramos, 24, lived every football fan’s dream when he attended the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala, where he met a host of the world’s top footballers and took on Barcelona star Gerard Pique at a game of FIFA 13. Alfonso stormed to victory at the FIWC 2012 in Dubai when he beat ... Read More »

Lionel Messi made history when he claimed the FIFA Ballon d’Or for 2012 on Monday evening, becoming the first player to be named the world’s best on four occasions – all of them consecutive. Following the ceremony, the goal machine described his feelings in front of the FIFA.com camera. He said: “It’s really nice to win it again, for ... Read More »

Four places at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 will be the considerable prize on offer at the 26th edition of the South American U-20 Championship, which takes place in Argentina between 9 January and 3 February. The city of Mendoza will play host to a Group A featuring Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia, while San Juan welcomes ... Read More »

It’s still early days in 2013, but the new footballing year is already in full swing, with a memorable first highlight for the fans on Monday, 7 January 2013 when the best women’s and men’s players of 2012 were crowned at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala. As in previous years, the crème de la crème of the footballing world stopped ... Read More »

A bittersweet feeling has marked striker Asamoah Gyan’s history with his national team, but the talismanic striker says he is feeling positive about Ghana’s chances of winning their fifth African title at this month’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars, who were continental champions in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982, have reached the semi-finals of the last three ... Read More »

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Bongani Khumalo will go down in history on 19 January as he becomes the third player to captain Bafana Bafana into a major competition played at home. Following in the footsteps of Neil Tovey (1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations) and Aaron Mokoena (2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup™), Khumalo will lead the players ... Read More »