FIFA has confirmed Azerbaijan as one of the host nations for the expanded 2026 FIFA Series, which will include a women's edition for the first time. The initiative aims to provide more international match opportunities for national teams from different continents. The men's tournaments will take place in several countries, including Azerbaijan, during the March-April 2026 window.
FIFA announced the expansion of the 2026 FIFA Series on Friday, building on the success of a pilot edition held in March 2024. Azerbaijan was one of the host countries for that pilot tournament and will again host events in the men's series next year.
The FIFA Series aligns with FIFA's Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027, creating opportunities for national teams that rarely face opponents from other continents. The 2026 edition marks the first full-scale implementation, featuring more participating member associations and hosts. For the first time, a dedicated women's iteration will debut.
Confirmed hosts for the men's series include Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan. Discussions are ongoing to add more host nations. The women's series will take place in Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, and Thailand, with the full lineup to be announced in early 2026. Other FIFA member associations have expressed interest in hosting.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, "I am pleased to announce the organization of a large-scale FIFA Series tournament during the window between matches in March and April 2026. Based on the results of the pilot tournament held in March 2024, we can say that this project offers national teams from different continents a unique platform for competition and interaction beyond regional tournaments."
In a FIFA statement, the organization emphasized, "Building on the success of the pilot edition held in March 2024, the FIFA Series 2026 marks the first full-scale implementation of this initiative, featuring more Participating Member Associations, more hosts and, for the first time, a dedicated women's iteration. The expanded format is designed to facilitate more meaningful international matches and contribute directly to global football development."
Infantino added, "The FIFA Series is about unlocking development potential for players, coaches and fans, while promoting football's universality and diversity through meaningful matches. The 2026 edition will further enhance that impact for men's and women's football alike. By connecting nations through competition, the FIFA Series aims to strengthen the game at every level - bringing local communities to the global stage."