ZURICH – FIFA has confirmed a major expansion of its “FIFA Series” starting in 2026, introducing bigger global participation and, for the first time, a dedicated women’s edition. The initiative aims to provide smaller and developing football nations a stronger platform to compete internationally, gain visibility and enhance technical growth.
The revamped programme will offer cross-continental competition while FIFA supports participating associations with travel, logistics and accommodation — a move designed to remove barriers that traditionally limit developing teams from accessing international fixtures.
The 2026 men’s FIFA Series will be staged across multiple host nations, including Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, offering a diverse spread of match opportunities and professional exposure. On the women’s side, the first-ever edition will be hosted by Brazil, Thailand and Ivory Coast — a significant step in expanding competition for women’s teams beyond elite footballing nations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted that the initiative aims to boost development, competitiveness and global football diversity by placing national teams into meaningful contests rather than isolated fixtures. The expanded format will take place in the official March–April international window, ensuring teams benefit without adding pressure to an already packed global calendar.
With the expanded Series, many smaller football associations are set to gain unprecedented growth opportunities, greater international reach and a stronger competitive ecosystem — marking a strategic shift in FIFA’s long-term development vision.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.