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Groups, hosts confirmed for FIFA Series 2026

Matches of the FIFA Series will be played during the international match window

By Web Desk

January 19, 2026

Egypt's Mohamed Salah shoots at goal in an African Cup of Nations Qualification match against Cape Verde at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on September 6, 2024. — Reuters

Groups and hosts are confirmed for the second edition of the FIFA Series. Sponsored biennial tournaments for mainly lower-ranked and lesser-financed nations will feature 48 teams this year, including five that qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA said on Monday.

World football’s governing body, in November, announced that it will introduce the expanded version of the FIFA Series in 2026 while also launching a women's edition, with 11 host countries in all.

The teams which had qualified for the FIFA World Cup and will take part in the event during the international match window in March and April include Australia, Cape Verde, Curacao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan.

The Series aim to benefit national teams lacking opportunities to compete with sides from other continents. The travel costs, accommodation and other logistics will be covered by FIFA.

Though some games in the first 24-nation series in 2024 gathered only a small number of fans, others did spark big fan interest, as Egypt's tournament finale against Croatia in Cairo was watched by more than 85,000, which the hosts lost 4-2.

The 48 teams taking part in the FIFA Series are divided into 12 groups of four, representing almost 25 per cent of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations.