FIFA Confirms Hosts and Group Line-Up for FIFA Series 2026
FIFA has officially announced the full roster of hosts and group compositions for the FIFA Series 2026, marking a key milestone in the expansion of the initiative for both men’s and women’s national teams.
Following the announcement of the expanded format in November 2025, the FIFA Series 2026 will feature 48 national teams competing across 12 groups of four teams each during the international match window in March and April. Representing nearly 25% of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations, the tournament underscores the initiative’s global reach.
A total of 11 FIFA Member Associations will host the series, with Rwanda accommodating two groups. The competition will comprise nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, featuring teams from all six FIFA confederations and highlighting the truly international nature of the series.
The confirmed hosts for the men’s groups are Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan. The women’s contests will be staged in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, and Thailand.
All matches will be broadcast globally, offering fans worldwide the opportunity to follow the action and ensuring visibility for participating national teams.
The FIFA Series 2026 brings together teams across a wide competitive spectrum, reflecting its development-focused design. On the men’s side, participants range from established sides such as Australia (ranked 26th) to emerging football nations like the US Virgin Islands (ranked 207th).
On the women’s side, teams span from Brazil (ranked 7th) to Turks and Caicos (ranked 194th). This diversity demonstrates FIFA’s commitment to creating meaningful international competition for member associations at all stages of development.
Notably, five men’s teams—Australia, Cabo Verde, Curaçao, New Zealand, and Uzbekistan—have also qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, highlighting the series’ competitive relevance alongside its developmental objectives.
Beyond the pitch, the FIFA Series promotes holistic football development, providing hosts and participating associations with practical experience in event delivery, operational planning, referee development, and competition organisation. These opportunities mirror the demands of major international tournaments and strengthen capacity across multiple functional areas.
Aligned with FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023–2027, the FIFA Series 2026 enables cross-confederation competition without adding fixtures to the international calendar, while fostering technical growth, organisational development, and global exchange among Member Associations.
MEN'S GROUPS
Australia (AFC)
Australia (host)
Cameroon
China PR
Curaçao
Azerbaijan (UEFA)
Azerbaijan (host)
Oman
Sierra Leone
St Lucia
Indonesia (AFC)
Bulgaria
Indonesia (host)
Solomon Islands
St Kitts and Nevis
Kazakhstan (UEFA)
Comoros
Kazakhstan (host)
Kuwait
Namibia
New Zealand (OFC)
Cabo Verde
Chile
Finland
New Zealand (host)
Puerto Rico (Concacaf)
American Samoa
Guam
Puerto Rico (host)
US Virgin Islands
Rwanda (CAF) – Group A
Estonia
Grenada
Kenya
Rwanda (host)
Rwanda (CAF) – Group B
Aruba
Liechtenstein
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Macau
Tanzania
Uzbekistan (AFC)
Gabon
Trinidad and Tobago
Uzbekistan (host)
Venezuela
WOMEN'S GROUPS
Brazil (CONMEBOL)
Brazil (host)
Canada
Korea Republic
Zambia
Côte d’Ivoire (CAF)
Côte d’Ivoire (host)
Mauritania
Pakistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Thailand (AFC)
Congo DR
Nepal
OFC team
Thailand (host)
Match schedules for all FIFA Series 2026 events will be announced in due course.
