FIFA has unveiled the FIFA Series 2026, a new international tournament for national teams set for March and April next year. The event will feature both men's and women's editions, hosted across multiple countries to boost competitive matches for lesser-known teams. President Gianni Infantino highlighted its role in promoting football's universality.
FIFA announced the launch of the FIFA Series 2026 on Friday, November 21, 2025, aiming to increase competitive international matches, particularly for teams outside the sport's elite. The tournament builds on a 2024 pilot that involved 24 national teams in venues including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka. This expanded edition introduces women's competitions for the first time and reorganizes existing international calendar dates without adding extra games.
The men's series will feature matches in Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan, with discussions ongoing for additional host nations. The women's series will debut in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand, with the full lineup to be revealed in early 2026. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, stated, “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.”
The format pits teams from different confederations in friendly yet competitive encounters. Of the 2024 participants, seven teams—Croatia, Algeria, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and New Zealand—are already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11, 2026, ensuring no schedule overlap. The initiative seeks to elevate standards, provide growth opportunities, and give visibility to local communities.