http://www.worldcupblog.org/more/ World Cup South Africa 2010 en-us World Cup Blog http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/bosnia-hercegovina-v-portugal-referee-preview.html http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/bosnia-hercegovina-v-portugal-referee-preview.html Andy Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:01:47 -0700 It seems this blog has turned into the "Howard Webb" fan page with our coverage of the World Cup final merging into tonight's qualifiers. But over a year since his height on the football stage, Webb returns to overseeing international knock-out football with the third meeting of these two sides in the playoffs. http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/relaunch-of-referees-blog.html http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/relaunch-of-referees-blog.html Andy Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:33:04 -0700 The refereeing blog will be relaunching this week, bigger and better than ever. We'll have full coverage of the playoffs for Euro 2012 with increased fan interaction and interviews. We'll also be covering the rest of the club season from the refereeing point of view including the most controversial and unique incidents. There will then be dedicated coverage of Euro 2012 and we want you to get involved. Are we too harsh on referees? Do we need TV technology? Which leagues have the best and worst officials? Keep an eye out for further updates in the next few days http://travel.worldcupblog.org/1/travel-to-dublin-for-the-nations-cup.html http://travel.worldcupblog.org/1/travel-to-dublin-for-the-nations-cup.html Chris Heidrich Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:54:39 -0700 In the olden days of international football, there weren't 200+ national teams kicking the ball around - there were only the Home Nations. England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales were the combatants in the first real international football tournament - the Home Nations Tournament - which was held annually for 100 years, from 1884 to 1984. Ever since, these football-obsessed countries, missing their yearly rivalry matches, have been trying to organize the Home Nations again. The latest incarnation is the Nations Cup, which pits Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland against each other in a round-robin format in http://travel.worldcupblog.org/1/travel-to-panama-for-the-copa-centroamericana.html http://travel.worldcupblog.org/1/travel-to-panama-for-the-copa-centroamericana.html Chris Heidrich Sun, 09 Jan 2011 08:23:05 -0700 The Copa Centroamericana may not be the most well-known international tournament around, but for the seven FIFA countries of Central America, it's a very big deal. Not only are bragging rights at stake, but the top five sides earn places in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. When your region only has seven teams, and five qualify, no one wants to be the two left out. This year, the Copa is being held in Panama from 14-23 January, and there's still time to book a ticket and a hotel. The best of Central American football, including 2010 http://travel.worldcupblog.org/1/travel-to-doha-for-the-asian-cup.html http://travel.worldcupblog.org/1/travel-to-doha-for-the-asian-cup.html Chris Heidrich Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:28:41 -0700 The Asian Cup is about to begin and if you support one of the 16 teams involved, this is the next best thing to a World Cup. It may seem too late to book your flight to Doha for the Cup, but it is always worth checking the prices. If your team makes the knockout rounds, you won't want to miss their push for the final on January 29th. Here are the basics of when games are being played: Group stage: 7-19 January (all teams participating, three matches each) Quarterfinals: 21-22 January (eight teams make it to this round, http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/howard-webb-honoured-by-the-queen-for-services-to-refereeing.html http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/howard-webb-honoured-by-the-queen-for-services-to-refereeing.html Andy Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:14:33 -0700 World Cup final referee Howard Webb has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Years Honours List with an MBE. http://travel.worldcupblog.org/football/travel-to-russia-to-watch-the-russian-national-team.html http://travel.worldcupblog.org/football/travel-to-russia-to-watch-the-russian-national-team.html Chris Heidrich Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:26:08 -0700 Russia was gutted to barely miss out on qualifying for World Cup 2010, and a lot of neutrals were disappointed too. The likes of Andrei Arshavin, Pavel Pogrebnyak and more would be missed in South Africa. Now, the Russians are back to make sure that they won't go missing from another major tournament. If you have been thinking about a trip to Russia, to see the vast, beautiful countryside or the cultural treasures of the cities, why not combine that trip with a chance to see the Russians play for Euro 2012 qualification? Russia has been drawn into http://travel.worldcupblog.org/football/travel-to-turkey-to-watch-the-turkey-national-team.html http://travel.worldcupblog.org/football/travel-to-turkey-to-watch-the-turkey-national-team.html Chris Heidrich Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:06:26 -0700 Turkey was the most exciting team of the tournament at Euro 2008, and now they're looking to return to the European Championships and make waves once again. After the disappointment of not qualifying for World Cup 2010, legendary manager Guus Hiddink is in charge to make sure Turkey doesn't miss out on another major tournament. It's an exciting team, with a mix of old stars and young talent, and the experience of seeing Turkey play live for a spot in the Euro 2012 finals can't be missed. Turkey has been drawn into Group A of European qualifying, along with http://travel.worldcupblog.org/football/travel-to-germany-to-watch-the-german-national-team.html http://travel.worldcupblog.org/football/travel-to-germany-to-watch-the-german-national-team.html Chris Heidrich Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:21:09 -0700 Now that World Cup 2010 is done and dusted, and we've started off the major European leagues, it's time to start thinking about the next major international tournament - Euro 2012. Germany comes to the Euro qualifiers fresh off of a third-place finish in South Africa, and a performance that showed off their amazing young talent. With these players still learning and developing, Germany is a force to be reckoned with, and there is no better time to come and see them play in person. Germany has been drawn into Group A of Euro 2012 qualifying, along with Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Here are the home fixtures, so you can plan your trip to Germany to watch the team: http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/tournament-stats-cards-controversy-and-keisuke-honda.html http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/tournament-stats-cards-controversy-and-keisuke-honda.html Andy Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:11:32 -0700 So after a tournament filled with plenty of talking point, we look back at the lies, damn lies and statistics. Who was the dirtiest player or the cleanest match? The cover this and more, let's crunch the numbers from South Africa 2010. http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/van-marwijk-chides-webb-for-refereeing-performance.html http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/van-marwijk-chides-webb-for-refereeing-performance.html Andy Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:43:58 -0700 Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has bashed official Howard Webb for his display in last night's final, and has been joined by some of his player's in questioning the Englishman's decisions in the game.