The 2026 FIFA Series will be the second edition of this invitational association football event organized by FIFA, building on a pilot phase held in 2024. Its primary purpose is to foster international development by staging friendly matches between National teams from various continental confederations.
Unlike official competitions, the FIFA Series focuses on promoting global football growth, raising technical standards, and giving national teams a taste of a major tournament atmosphere, especially those from non-traditional powerhouses.
Announced at the 74th FIFA Congress in May 2024, the 2026 edition will see a larger scale, with broader participation, both in terms of host countries and teams. Notably, the 2026 FIFA Series will, for the first time, feature a dedicated women’s competition alongside the men’s event.
2026 FIFA Series Host Nations and Format
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Eight countries have been confirmed as hosts for the 2026 FIFA Series:
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan
- Mauritius
- Puerto Rico
- Rwanda
- Uzbekistan
FIFA left open the possibility for additional nations to be added in the months leading up to the tournament.
Each host country will organize a four-team mini-series during the FIFA international match window from March 23 to 31, 2026. The design is to maximize cross-confederation matches—pairing teams from different continents in a friendly environment, with each national team set to play two fixtures.
Participating Teams
Although the full lineup of national teams isn’t set yet, the tournament is expected to draw entries from a wide range of confederations, highlighting up-and-coming football nations.
Member associations have applied to host or participate, and the groups will be organized so that each features teams from at least two different confederations, aiming to keep the competition fair and balanced.
FIFA aims for this series to benefit nations seeking higher-level experience and to help raise the competitive level of global football.
2026 FIFA Series Schedule
- Tournament Dates: March 23–31, 2026 (during the official FIFA international window)
- Format: Eight four-team mini-series in eight different countries; each national team plays two friendlies, generally against opponents from another continent.
The detailed breakdown of groups and fixtures will be announced by FIFA closer to the event.
Purpose and Global Significance
The purpose of the FIFA Series is multidimensional:
- Foster international experience for smaller and developing football nations.
- Promote technical and organizational advancement among participating countries.
- Engage global fan communities by bringing diverse football cultures together.
The 2026 edition marks FIFA’s first full-scale rollout of this initiative, bringing exciting international matchups during a period not tied to competitive qualification and introducing a fresh approach to developing international football.
2026 FIFA Series Information
The 2026 FIFA Series will:
- Taking place across eight countries, each will host a four-nation invitational series.
- Occur from March 23–31, 2026.
- Feature a mix of men’s and (for the first time) women’s national teams from multiple continents.
- Serve as a developmental platform rather than a competitive tournament, enhancing global football connections and standards.
The FIFA Series gives teams, coaches, and fans a chance to enjoy the global diversity of football and build international connections beyond the World Cup or regional qualifiers. It shows FIFA’s commitment to growing the game and celebrating its universality across all continents.
