FIFA has released the full match schedule for the FIFA Series 2026™, the expanded edition of its international friendly tournament that will bring together 48 national teams from all six confederations.
The fixtures, published on the association’s website on Monday, are scheduled for the March and April 2026 international match window.
Twelve groups of four teams each—nine men’s groups and three women’s groups—will compete, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations.
Rwanda will stage two groups, while other hosts include Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.
All matches are official international friendlies and will be broadcast globally, providing fans worldwide with access and giving participating teams valuable exposure, particularly for those that rarely face opponents from other confederations.
According to FIFA, participating Member Associations have chosen their preferred competition formats within each group, either a semi-final and final structure or a series of pre-arranged fixtures.
In all cases, one team will emerge as the group winner.
Any match ending in a draw will go directly to a penalty shoot-out, with no extra time, ensuring a competitive and decisive outcome.
FIFA said the schedule builds on the successful pilot edition held in 2024 and follows the confirmation of hosts and group compositions in January 2026.
The initiative is part of FIFA’s broader strategy to promote equitable development of the global game by creating meaningful competitive opportunities outside major tournaments such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™.
“The FIFA Series™ continues to deliver on our commitment to inclusive football development.
“By bringing teams from different confederations together in competitive settings, we are strengthening the sporting and cultural fabric of the game while giving emerging nations greater visibility on the international stage,” FIFA said in its announcement.
PUNCH
