FIFA has confirmed the introduction of a brand-new international football tournament, set to begin in March 2026. The competition, titled ‘FIFA Series 2026’, will take place during the March and April international windows, featuring both men’s and women’s national teams. The governing body aims to expand competitive opportunities for nations that rarely face opponents outside their region.
According to FIFA, the central objective of the tournament is to accelerate the development of emerging and less-established footballing nations. By engaging in competitive fixtures against teams from different continents, these nations will gain exposure, experience and a platform to enhance their footballing standards.
Widespread Hosting Across Several Continents
The women’s edition of the FIFA Series will be held in
Brazil
Thailand
Ivory Coast
Meanwhile, the men’s fixtures will take place across eight host nations:
Australia
Azerbaijan
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Mauritius
Puerto Rico
Rwanda
Uzbekistan
These diverse venues reflect FIFA’s ambition to increase football’s global reach and encourage participation in regions with rapidly growing fan bases.
Infantino Highlights Global Benefits
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the new tournament aims to create fresh opportunities for players, coaches, and fans. He emphasised that the FIFA Series will showcase the universality and diversity of football, bringing together nations that seldom meet on the pitch.
Infantino also noted that the 2026 edition, featuring both men’s and women’s teams, will be an important step towards strengthening the global game. The initiative will offer smaller nations the rare chance to compete internationally, while also enabling local communities to take part in a global sporting event.
A Continuation of a Successful 2024 Pilot
The decision to expand the FIFA Series comes on the back of a successful pilot programme staged in March 2024. Encouraged by positive feedback from participating nations, FIFA has opted to enlarge the tournament, increase the number of host countries and—significantly—include women’s national teams for the first time in the event’s history.
Format and Future Plans
Under the format, teams from different confederations will meet in friendly-style fixtures designed to provide meaningful competitive experience. Importantly, FIFA confirmed that the tournament will not add new fixtures to the already congested international calendar; instead, it will make better use of existing international windows.
FIFA believes the expanded structure will increase the number of competitive matches at the international level, support football development worldwide, and strengthen the sport’s competitive balance.
More detailed information about FIFA Series 2026 is expected to be released in early 2026.
