The Week in Quotes

Featuring Pele comparing himself to legends of music and art, Lionel Messi on how criticism from Argentinians upset him, Carlos Alberto Torres writing off Brazil’s hopes of glory in 2014 and Vinnie Jones on a day he will never forget.

Canada, USA book London berth

Both USA and Canada confirmed their place at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament 2012 in London after beating Costa Rica and Mexico respectively at the CONCACAF women's Olympic soccer competition.

Kadir: Algeria will learn from 2010

FIFA.com spoke to Algeria midfielder Foued Kadir about the Desert Foxes' rejuvenation under new coach Vahid Halilhodzic, his experience at South Africa 2010 and ambitions for Brazil 2014.

January activity continues apace

With the transfer deadline fast approaching, FIFA.com rounds up this week's action in the global market, which has seen plenty of business on British shores.

Gabon into quarters with Morocco win

Gabon made it into the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a classic and dramatic 3-2 win over fancied Morocco today.

Fabregas: I’m adapting to Barça

Cesc Fabregas has admitted he is finding it difficult to get to grips to Barcelona’s unique brand of football and lamented his latest performance against Real Madrid.

Zico: Iraq can beat anyone

Brazil legend Zico, now in charge of Iraq's national team, tells FIFA.com how his side overcame early doubts to qualify for the final round of Asian Zone qualifiers - and why they can take the next step by qualifying for Brazil 2014.

Who’s the best passer you’ve seen?

FIFA.com would like to hear which player is the best passer you’ve ever seen.

Spurs, Everton up for the Cup

Tottenham squeezed past Watford to advance to the last 16 of the FA Cup, where they will be joined by Everton who got the better of Fulham in the night's other game.

Hannover pick up rare win

Hannover picked up their first Bundesliga win since last October thanks to a Mohammed Abdellaoue goal against Nurnberg.

Cuenca pens Barça extension

Barcelona's young defender Isaac Cuenca, a product of their famed youth system, has agreed a contract extension with the Catalan giants.

Last-gasp Tunisia see off lively Niger

Tunisia all but sealed a place in the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 win over debutants Niger today.

Alex seals move to PSG

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Chelsea defender Alex, the 29-year-old Brazilian reuniting with former manager Carlo Ancelotti at the ambitious Ligue 1 side.

Wilshere suffers 'little setback'

Dutch to host Germany in November

The Netherlands will host Germany in a friendly in Amsterdam on 14 November, the German Football Federation (DFB) has announced.

Walcott aims to ease pressure on Wenger

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has urged his team-mates to ease the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger after a disappointing run of Premier League defeats.

Sow completes Fener switch

Fenerbahce have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Senegal striker Moussa Sow, who has agreed a four-year deal with the Turkish giants.

Alan Kardec earns Muricy praise, discusses role

Santos coach Muricy Ramalho has hailed Alan Kardec following his match-winning performance against Ituano, while the 23-year-old preferred to deflect praise on to his team-mates.

Elephants' concern over injured Kalou

Côte d'Ivoire were anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on the thigh injury picked up by influential striker Salomon Kalou in Wednesday's win over Burkina Faso.

Ahn to hang up his boots

Korea Republic legend Ahn Jung-Hwan, famous for his dramatic goal against Italy in the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, is to retire next week.

Guinea, Botswana aim to kick-start campaign

Following opening-round defeats both Guinea and Botswana are facing a must-win scenario when they take to the field tomorrow in CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group D action.

Ghana face up to derby rivals Mali

Two winning teams will face off when Group D CAF Africa Cup of Nations action resumes on Saturday as continental heavyweights Ghana face west African rivals Mali with top spot on the line.

Penarol in charge against Caracas

Uruguayan giants Penarol are on the verge of securing a berth in the Copa Libertadores group stage after overpowering Caracas 4-0 in the first leg of their play-off.

The Lightning that shocked Africa

Not much was expected of co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, but the National Lightning have lit up the CAF Africa Cup of Nations by eliminating Senegal and becoming the first team to reach the quarter-finals.

Carroll links with Olympiacos

Olympiacos have signed experienced Premier League and former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll on an 18-month contract.

Valencia cruise to Barcelona showdown

Valencia advanced comfortably into the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a routine 3-0 victory against city rivals Levante to set up a date with Barcelona.

Elephants advance, Angola stay on track

Côte d'Ivoire are the second team into the CAF Africa Cup of Nations last eight after a tough victory over Burkina Faso, while Angola are well placed to claim second despite drawing with Sudan who ended a 36-year goal drought.

Milan reach Coppa semis

AC Milan recovered from an early deficit to secure their place in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with a 3-1 win over Lazio at the San Siro.

Ivorians clinch quarter-final spot

Côte d'Ivoire became the second country after Equatorial Guinea to reach the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals thanks to a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in Group B.

Sevilla rule out Dos Santos bid

Spanish side Sevilla have ruled out the possibility of joining the race for Tottenham and Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos.

Gyan limps out of Ghana training

Ghana star striker Asamoah Gyan limped out of his team's training on Thursday with a suspected ankle injury.

Sudan end drought to hold Angola

Sudan ended a 36-year CAF Africa Cup of Nations goal drought as they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Angola in a Group B match.

Park rules out Korean u-turn

Park Ji-sung today made it clear he will not be coming out of international retirement to help Korea Republic qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

Rupert Murdoch at the Home of FIFA

A delegation from News Corporation, the group which includes Fox Sports, led by its CEO Rupert Murdoch, paid a visit to the Home of FIFA on 26 January 2012.

Hertha sign Bastians, retain Lell

Hertha Berlin have completed the signing of Freiburg defender Felix Bastians while also agreeing a contract extension with Christian Lell until 2016.

Iniesta out for three weeks

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta could be out for up to three weeks after injuring his thigh in the Copa del Rey quarter-final second-leg match against Real Madrid, the club has confirmed.

Ranieri confident of Inter response

Claudio Ranieri has said that he is confident that Inter Milan will shrug off their Coppa Italia elimination at the hands of Napoli and return to winning ways in Serie A this weekend.

Cetto explains loan to Lille

Argentinian defender Mauro Cetto has discussed the problems he had adapting to life at Palermo and his excitement at returning to France with Lille.

Twente veteran Boschker keen to play on

Goalkeeper Sander Boschker, whose Twente deal expires at the end of the season, has revealed that despite being 41, he wants to continue playing in 2012/13.

Toulouse deny receiving Machado offers

Toulouse have dismissed comments from Portuguese midfielder Paulo Machado that they have turned down bids for him.

Lodeiro: Playing is what matters

Nicolas Lodeiro speaks to FIFA.com about his road back from injury, adapting to Dutch football with Ajax and attempting to win back his place in the Uruguay starting XI. 

QPR complete Onuoha signing

Nedum Onuoha has joined QPR from Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the London-based club announced on Thursday.

Football Ferns go global

New Zealand women’s football has taken on a sharp new direction with an ever increasing number of players competing at top leagues overseas and, as FIFA.com examines, the Football Ferns are set to be the beneficiaries.

Bolton complete Ream capture

Bolton have completed the signing of USA defender Tim Ream from the New York Red Bulls for an undisclosed fee.

Milan near decision on Tevez, Lopez

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said that the club will make a final decision tomorrow on whether to sign Carlos Tevez or Catania's Maxi Lopez.

Vorm: I do homework on penalty takers

Michel Vorm chats to FIFA.com about his impressive displays for Swansea City, penalty-saving success, quest to replace Maarten Stekelenburg’s as the Netherlands’ first-choice goalkeeper and the country’s UEFA EURO 2012 hopes.

Sydney deny Victory a win

A last minute goal from Sebastian Ryall against his former club secured Sydney FC a share of the spoils against rivals Melbourne Victory in an Australia Day derby match.

Rohr: We'll keep our feet on the ground

Gabon coach Gernot Rohr says the co-hosts have an unique opportunity to make an impact at continent level, but, despite an impressive opening win, they aren't getting carried away just yet - even after dancing with the President.

'mariula': Nobody can take this away from me

"I've discovered online games and I've became addicted to them!" Says Predictor Round 18 winner 'mariula'.

Ten-man USA edge Panama

A ten-man USA gained a measure of revenge for defeat at last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 1-0 win over Panama thanks to a debut goal from Graham Zusi.

Renewed hope as India climb again

After a series of disappointments in 2011, India saved face with victory at December's SAFF Championship, which helped propel them up the latest FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking as they strive for AFC Asian Cup qualification.