Tomorrow witnesses the return to qualifying action of Europe's national teams, with holders Spain among the teams setting out on the road to UEFA EURO 2012.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has thanked club owner Silvio Berlusconi for bankrolling a spending spree just before the transfer window closed.

Former England captain David Beckham is hoping to make his return for Los Angeles Galaxy next weekend after six months out with an Achilles injury.

The second edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will kick-off this weekend in Trinidad and Tobago with a new crop of future stars eager to mark their mark in front of a global audience.

Santos took an equal share of third in the Campeonato Brasileiro with a 2-1 home triumph against Avai thanks to goals from Neymar and Marcel, while Sao Paulo defeated Atletico Goianiense.

Michael Essien has revealed he is convinced Chelsea can follow up their domestic double of 2009/10 by winning the UEFA Champions League, while Frank Lampard has warned against complacency.

Steven Gerrard has discussed the pressure England are under, their need to make a winning start to UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying and carrying the captain’s armband.

Cesare Prandelli has revealed his Italy players are both nervous and excited ahead of their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Estonia, and discussed the way to bring the best out of Antonio Cassano.

Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri is more than satisfied with the make-up of his squad, despite the sale of Brazilian midfielder Diego to Wolfsburg.

 Brazil squad have begun a six-day training camp in the Spanish city of Barcelona under the eye of new coach Mano Menezes.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres' return to full fitness is ahead of schedule but the club's medical staff do not expect him to reach his physical peak for another month.

The FIFA Inspection Group has made the final stop on its European journey in Spain and Portugal, who are bidding to co-host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

Bruce Djite believes Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg can help his career reach the next level after the striker left Genclerbirligi to return to Australia.

The Fundacão Getulio Vargas (FGV) and CIES signed last week a partnership contract with a view to organising the FIFA/CIES Sports Management Programme in Brazil as from 2011.

Banfield moved closer to a Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 berth with a 1-0 win at fellow Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield, while Uruguay's Defensor eliminated Paraguayan giants Olimpia.

Sampdoria forward Giampaolo Pazzini said he is looking forward to showing the Florentine public that he has matured when he starts for the Azzurri against Estonia.

Yossi Benayoun struck a hat-trick as Israel bgan their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 home victory over Malta.

Al Jazira went on top of UAE League standings with a 2-1 win over Al Sharjah, while Bani Yas claimed their second league win of the season as they defeated Al Dhafra 2-0.

Scotland face Lithuania on away turf tomorrow looking to improve their recent record in qualifying competition.

France midfielder Adil Rami has stressed the importance of Les Bleus getting their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign off to a strong start.

Croatia need to begin their UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying campaign by beating both Latvia and Greece, according to coach Slaven Bilic and playmaker Niko Kranjcar.

Taking advantage of the approaching FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in T&T, FIFA and CONCACAF have kicked off a coaching course in Port of Spain.

Canada's U-17 women's coach speaks to FIFA.com about being crowned champions of CONCACAF, conquering USA and his hopes for glory at Trinidad and Tobago 2010.

Germany must forget about a memorable FIFA World Cup campaign and focus on qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012 according to Miroslav Klose, who has played down the tension over their captain’s armband.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar believes he and Schalke team-mate Raul can form the most lethal strike partnership in the Bundesliga. The Dutchman has also revealed his desire to score in the Revierderby.

Jose Mourinho has labelled Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic among the world’s best players and AC Milan as contenders to win the UEFA Champions League, and also discussed his feelings for Inter Milan.

Al Wahda, who will participate in December's FIFA Club World Cup, have dismissed coach Laszlo Boloni following a disappointing start to the season.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson has been released from the England squad to play against Bulgaria following a family bereavement.

Timo Hildebrand, the former Germany goalkeeper who had been a free agent since his contract with Hoffenheim ended following the 2009/10 season, has joined Lisbon giants Sporting.

Qatari side Al Ahli have announced the signing of Brazilian defender Fabiano Eller.

Experienced striker Marco Boriello has discussed joining Roma on loan and the reception he was given at his presentation as a Giallorossi player.

Juventus have confirmed they will try again next year to sign Edin Dzeko having failed to acquire the Bosnian striker this summer.

Georgia’s most-capped player, Levan Kobiashvili, has spoken exclusively to FIFA.com about his targets in the German capital, his future, and the forthcoming UEFA EURO qualifying campaign.

Australian A-League club Gold Coast United have signed Socceroo striker Bruce Djite as a replacement for last season's leading goalscorer Shane Smeltz.

Paraguayan side Guarani made it into the Copa Sudamericana second stage despite a 4-2 defeat at Uruguay's River Plate, while Colombia's Huila also progressed.

Leaders Fluminense have been held at home as Palmeiras grabbed a last-gasp equaliser, while Botafogo moved third thanks to a 1-0 triumph at Gremio.

After a fantastic start to the qualifying campaign for Equatorial Guinea/Gabon 2012, Diphetogo ‘Dipsy’ Selolwane speaks to FIFA.com about his feelings on Botswana topping the early Group K table.

Laurent Blanc's plans to use France's opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Belarus on Friday as a launch-pad for the rebirth of the national side have been hit by bans and injuries to key players.

Fabio Capello launches his quest for redemption on Friday knowing only a convincing victory by a makeshift England team over Bulgaria can silence a growing band of critics.

World champions Spain play their first competitive match since lifting football's ultimate prize when they face Liechtenstein on Friday in their opening UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier.

UAE League champions Al Wahda registered their first win of the season following a 3-1 victory against newcomers Ittihad Kalba, while 2009 winners Al Ahli also had their first triumph.

Bert van Marwijk has named his son-in-law Mark van Bommel as the new Netherlands captain with the Bayern Munich man succeeding Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is set to return from the knee injury that wrecked his 2010 FIFA World Cup™ after emerging unscathed from a reserve team outing.

Former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken another swipe at Pep Guardiola saying the coach of the La Liga champions is a "small-time coach".

Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is in as much of a daze as Tottenham Hotspur fans after his whirlwind move to London on a four-year deal from Real Madrid was given the go-ahead by the Premier League.

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been included in Sir Alex Ferguson's 25-man Premier League squad despite his continuing injury woes.

Chelsea youngster Jeffery Bruma has today signed a new contract, tying him to the Premier League champions until 2014.

Alexander Hleb claims he turned down offers from Tottenham, Liverpool and Benfica this summer, saying it was Birmingham City's greater desire to secure his services that sealed his move to St Andrews.

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is adamant the team must not look beyond Friday's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

West Ham United have completed the signing of Denmark right-back Lars Jacobsen from Blackburn Rovers after the Premier League approved the deal.

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma went top of the K-League following a goalless draw at home to Suwon Bluewings but the headlines belonged to FC Seoul.