The international football calendar for 2026 is beginning to take shape after FIFA officially unveiled the match schedule for the FIFA Series 2026™.
Set to be played during the March and April international window, the expanded competition will bring together 48 national teams from both the men’s and women’s game representing all six FIFA confederations. The tournament will be hosted across 11 Member Associations, with Rwanda staging two separate groups.
The 2026 edition will feature 12 groups of four teams each. Nine groups are dedicated to men’s national teams, while three groups will showcase women’s national sides.
Depending on agreements between participating associations, some groups will follow a semi-final and final format, while others will feature pre-arranged fixtures. Every group will ultimately produce one winner. Matches that finish level will go straight to penalty shoot-outs, adding an extra layer of excitement without the need for extra time.
First approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the FIFA Series™ was introduced to create meaningful international friendly matches between teams from different confederations matchups that rarely happen outside major tournaments.
The 2026 competition builds on the success of the 2024 pilot edition and continues to focus on giving both emerging football nations and more established sides valuable international exposure.
All fixtures in the FIFA Series 2026™ will be broadcast globally, ensuring fans around the world can follow the action. The initiative not only offers competitive matches during the international window but also provides increased visibility for participating teams on the global stage.
With the schedule now confirmed, national teams and supporters can begin preparations for what promises to be a diverse and competitive international football showcase.
