2026 FIFA Series |
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| Host countries | Australia
Azerbaijan
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
New Zealand
Puerto Rico
Rwanda
Uzbekistan |
|---|
| Dates | 25–31 March |
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| Teams | 36 (from 6 confederations) |
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| Venue | 12 (in 10 host cities) |
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The 2026 FIFA Series will be the second edition of the FIFA Series, an invitational Association football tournament promoted by FIFA that features friendly matches between national teams from different continental confederations. The men's section of the 2026 edition will feature nine different four-team series taking place across eight host countries during the FIFA window of 25–31 March.[1]
Background
Following the success of the pilot phase of the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the second edition for 2026 during his speech at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok, Thailand in May 2024.[2][3]
On 18 October 2024, FIFA invited member associations to host and/or participate in the 2026 edition.[4] Member associations could apply to organize one or more four-team series (which could include their own national team) or to participate in a series in which they would contest two matches against opponents of a similar level and probably from different continental confederations.[5]
Initially, nine host countries were announced, including Australia,[6] Azerbaijan,[7] Indonesia,[8] Kazakhstan,[9] Mauritius,[10] Puerto Rico,[11] Rwanda and Uzbekistan,[12][13] with New Zealand joining later.[14][15] However, Mauritius had to withdraw from organizing their series as their national team will have to compete in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification preliminary round during the same FIFA window in March 2026, so this series was moved to Rwanda,[16][17] which will host two series,[18] reducing the number of host countries to eight.
Participating teams
The following teams are scheduled to participate in the 2026 event.[19]
By confederation
Venues
Location of the 2026 FIFA Series venues
| Country
|
City
|
Stadium
|
Capacity
|
| Australia
|
Sydney
|
Accor Stadium
|
83,000
|
| Melbourne
|
AAMI Park
|
30,500
|
| Azerbaijan
|
Baku
|
Dalga Arena
|
6,500
|
| Sumgait
|
Sumgayit City Stadium
|
9,502
|
| Indonesia
|
Jakarta
|
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
|
77,193
|
| Kazakhstan
|
Astana
|
Astana Arena
|
30,244
|
| New Zealand
|
Auckland
|
Eden Park
|
50,000
|
| Puerto Rico
|
Bayamón
|
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
|
12,500
|
| Rwanda
|
Kigali
|
Amahoro Stadium
|
45,508
|
| Kigali Pelé Stadium
|
7,000
|
| Uzbekistan
|
Tashkent
|
Bunyodkor Stadium
|
34,800
|
| Pakhtakor Central Stadium
|
35,000
|
Series
All times are local as listed by FIFA.[21][22] Each team's confederation is indicated in brackets.
Australia
The FIFA Series Australia will take place in Sydney on 27 March 2026 and Melbourne on 31 March 2026. It will involve the hosts Australia (AFC), China (AFC), Cameroon (CAF) and Curaçao (CONCACAF).[23]
Azerbaijan
The FIFA Series Azerbaijan will take place in Baku and Sumgait on 27 and 30 March 2026, and will involve the host Azerbaijan (UEFA), Oman (AFC), Saint Lucia (CONCACAF) and Sierra Leone (CAF).[24]
Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
Indonesia
The FIFA Series Indonesia will take place in Jakarta, and will involve the host Indonesia (AFC), Bulgaria (UEFA), Saint Kitts and Nevis (CONCACAF) and the Solomon Islands (OFC).[25][26][27]
Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
Kazakhstan
The FIFA Series Kazakhstan will take place in Astana on 25 and 28 March 2026, and will involve the hosts Kazakhstan (UEFA), Comoros (CAF), Kuwait (AFC) and Namibia (CAF).[28][29]
Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
New Zealand
The FIFA Series New Zealand will take place in Auckland on 27 and 30 March 2026, and will involve the hosts New Zealand (OFC), Cape Verde (CAF), Chile (CONMEBOL) and Finland (UEFA).[30] All fixtures will be the first international meeting between the sides,[31] except for New Zealand vs. Chile, who have faced each other four times previously (all friendlies), with three wins for the South Americans and one scoreless draw.[32]
Puerto Rico
The FIFA Series Puerto Rico will take place in Bayamón, and will involve the host Puerto Rico (CONCACAF), American Samoa (OFC), Guam (AFC), and the U.S. Virgin Islands (CONCACAF).[11]
Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
Rwanda A
The FIFA Series Rwanda A will take place in Kigali, and will involve the host Rwanda (CAF), Estonia (UEFA), Grenada (CONCACAF) and Kenya (CAF).
Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
Rwanda B
The FIFA Series Rwanda B will take place in Kigali, and will involve Aruba (CONCACAF), Liechtenstein (UEFA), Macau (AFC), and Tanzania (CAF). Originally scheduled to take place in Mauritius, this series was moved to Rwanda after Mauritius withdrew from hosting it, with Tanzania replacing them in the matches.[33]
Bracket
Semi-finals
Third place play-off
Final
Uzbekistan
The FIFA Series Uzbekistan will take place in Tashkent on 27 and 30 March 2026, and will involve the hosts Uzbekistan (AFC), Gabon (CAF), Trinidad and Tobago (CONCACAF) and Venezuela (CONMEBOL).[34]
See also
References
- ^ "FIFA confirms expanded FIFA Series 2026 for men's and women's national teams". FIFA. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Gianni Infantino emphasises FIFA's mission to grow football globally in FIFA Congress address". FIFA. 17 May 2024.
- ^ "FIFA President's Address | Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand Friday, 17 May 2024" (PDF). FIFA. 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Circular FIFA nº 1901: Declaraciones de interés para la FIFA Series 2026" [Circular 1901: The FIFA Series 2026 - expressions of interest] (in Spanish). Asociación Española de Derecho Deportivo. 21 October 2024.
- ^ "The FIFA Series 2026 – expressions of interest" (PDF). FIFA. 18 October 2024.
- ^ "Football Australia to host FIFA Series 2026 during March International Window". Football Australia. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "The FIFA Series to be held in Azerbaijan again". Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. 24 November 2025.
- ^ "Indonesia Dipilih Gelar FIFA Series 2026, Erick Thohir Puji Apresiasi Tanpa Henti FIFA" [Indonesia Selected to Host FIFA Series 2026, Erick Thohir Praises FIFA's Endless Appreciation]. www.pssi.org (in Indonesian). Football Association of Indonesia. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "2026 жылы Қазақстанда FIFA Series турнирінің матчтары өтеді" [Kazakhstan will host the FIFA Series in 2026]. kff.kz/kk/ (in Kazakh). Kazakhstan Football Federation. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "FIFA SERIES 2026: Mauritius to host the competition in March". Mauritius Football Association. 21 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Puerto Rico será sede del FIFA Series 2026" [Puerto Rico will host the FIFA Series 2026]. fpfpuertorico.com (in Spanish). San Juan: Puerto Rican Football Federation. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Rwanda among eight nations selected to host FIFA Series in 2026". CEFACA. 26 November 2025.
- ^ "Uzbekistan to Host Men's FIFA Series 2026". UzDaily. 21 November 2025.
- ^ "First FIFA Series Held in New Zealand". New Zealand Football. 3 December 2025.
- ^ "New Zealand confirmed as host nation for FIFA Series 2026™". FIFA. 4 December 2025.
- ^ Beiblo, Désiré (13 January 2026). "CAN 2027: Voici les affiches du tour préliminaire" [CAN 2027: Here are the preliminary round fixtures] (in French). Industrie du Maroc.
- ^ "RÉPONSE SUR LA FIFA SERIES 2026" [RESPONSE REGARDING THE FIFA SERIES 2026] (in French). Nou Konten Football Moris. 29 January 2026 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Rwanda set toshine on the global stage as host of FIFA Series 2026™". Rwanda Football Federation. 20 January 2026.
- ^ "FIFA announces line-up for expanded FIFA Series 2026". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "FIFA Men's Ranking 19 January 2026". FIFA. 19 January 2026.
- ^ "FIFA Series 2026™ match schedule now available". FIFA. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "FIFA Series 2026™ Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- ^ "CommBank Socceroos matches confirmed in Sydney and Melbourne for the FIFA Series 2026". socceroos.com.au. Football Australia. 21 January 2026.
- ^ "The schedule for the FIFA Series 2026". Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. 17 February 2026.
- ^ Prasetya, Mochamad Hary (9 February 2026). "BREAKING NEWS - FIFA Pastikan Timnas Indonesia Lawan Saint Kitts and Nevis di FIFA Series 2026" [BREAKING NEWS - FIFA confirms Indonesia National Team to face Saint Kitts and Nevis in FIFA Series 2026] (in Indonesian). Bola.
- ^ Triyogo, Arkhelaus Wisnu (11 February 2026). "FIFA Series 2026: Indonesia to Face Bulgaria, Solomon Islands in March". Jakarta: Tempo.
- ^ "Jadwal Lengkap FIFA Series™ 2026 di Indonesia" [The complete FIFA Series 2026 schedule in Indonesia] (in Indonesian). Football Association of Indonesia. 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Kazakhstan's Opponents Confirmed for the FIFA Series 2026". kff.kz. Kazakhstan Football Federation. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Қазақстан құрамасының FIFA Series 2026 турниріндегі қарсыластары анықталды" [Kazakhstan's opponents in the 2026 FIFA Series tournament have been determined]. kff.kz (in Kazakh). Kazakhstan Football Federation. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "All Whites to Face Finland and Chile at Eden Park This March in First FIFA Series Held in Aotearoa New Zealand". New Zealand Football. 20 January 2026.
- ^ "Huuhkajat kohtaa Uuden-Seelannin ja Kap Verden FIFA Series 2026 -turnauksessa" [The Huuhkajat will face New Zealand and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA Series tournament] (in Finnish). Football Association of Finland. 28 January 2026.
- ^ Voerman, Andrew (19 January 2026). "All Whites to play Finland, Chile at Eden Park in March in FIFA World Cup send-off matches". Stuff.
- ^ "Zuerst gegen Tansania" [First against Tanzania] (in German). Liechtenstein Football Association. 23 February 2026.
- ^ "O'zbekiston mezbonlik qiladigan FIFA Series uchrashuvlarining vaqtlari ma'lum" [The schedule for the FIFA Series matches organized by Uzbekistan has been announced] (in Uzbek). Uzbekistan Football Association. 23 February 2026 – via Facebook.