FIFA has announced that the FIFA Series 2026™ will take place during the international match windows in March and April next year. The event will give national teams from different continents the chance to play each other, going beyond their usual confederation opponents.
After a successful pilot edition in March 2024, the 2026 Series will be the first full version of the project. It will include more national associations, more host countries, and for the first time, a separate competition for women’s national teams. The aim is to create more meaningful international matches and support football development around the world.
The FIFA Series supports FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game 2023–2027, which focus on improving competitiveness, technical progress, and opportunities for teams that rarely meet opponents from other continents.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the Series helps unlock development potential for players, coaches, and supporters, while promoting the global nature of football. He added that the 2026 edition will strengthen the impact on both the men’s and women’s game.
Interest in hosting and taking part is growing worldwide. FIFA has already confirmed the main structure and several host nations.
The men’s FIFA Series will include matches in Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan. FIFA is also in talks with other member associations that may be added as hosts.
The women’s FIFA Series will make its debut with events in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand. The full list of hosts and teams will be announced in early 2026.
Each group will involve national teams from different confederations playing friendly matches. This format helps teams gain valuable football experience without adding extra fixtures to the international calendar.
The FIFA Series offers several benefits for participating nations:
- Technical development through exposure to new playing styles
- Commercial opportunities from increased visibility
- Cultural exchange by bringing countries together through football
Approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the FIFA Series gives developing football nations the chance to experience international competition in a setting similar to major tournaments, supporting both technical and organisational growth.
