Fifa Series: what you need to know about the new Fifa competition
Fifa wants to launch a new competition in March 2026. The objective is to help member federations, especially the lower ranked ones, to “
organize intercontinental friendly matches during the March window of each even year
”.
The pilot phase starts on March 18 in four countries: Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka.
The FIFA logo on the front of its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
AP - Michael Probst
By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
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Guinea-Vanuatu, Bolivia-Andorra, Tanzania-Mongolia or even Bermuda-Brunei, posters which seemed improbable, but which will nevertheless be able to compete thanks to the Fifa Series.
What is the Fifa Series?
This is Fifa's new discovery to “
help its Member Associations organize series of intercontinental friendly matches in a format where each group will have four teams from different confederations, and where all matches will take place in the same host country
” , we read on the official FIFA website.
Each team will play two matches against two opponents, out of the other three, from the single pool.
The aim of this new type of competition, without ranking, is to allow countries from other Confederations to meet.
And above all, give poorly ranked teams at the international level the opportunity to offer themselves posters that could help them progress.
Matches like Cambodia-Cape Verde or Papua New Guinea-Sri Lanka would perhaps never have seen the light of day without this initiative.
Twenty selections, six confederations
These matches will open “
new horizons in terms of technical development
” for a number of countries “
in which such opportunities were absent
”, argues Fifa.
“
The Fifa Series will also provide participating Member Associations with additional commercial opportunities as well as greater exposure
,” adds the world football body.
The official launch is planned for March 2026, and the competitions will take place every even year, during the March window of the international calendar.
In the meantime, the pilot phase will be held from March 18 to 26, 2024 and 20 selections from the six confederations will participate.
“
The Fifa Series represents a valuable step forward for international football
,” said Gianni Infantino, President of Fifa.
The fact that there is a real stake will give much more value and interest to the matches, for the players as well as for the teams and the supporters, and this will contribute in a tangible way to the development of our sport
.
Here are the teams participating in the pilot phase of the 2024 Fifa Series
Fifa Series: Algeria
Algeria (CAF)
Andorra (UEFA)
South Africa (CAF)
Bolivia (CONMEBOL)
Fifa
Series: Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan (UEFA)
Bulgaria (UEFA)
Mongolia (AFC)
Tanzania (CAF)
Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia A
Cambodia (AFC)
Cape Verde (CAF)
Equatorial Guinea (CAF)
Guyana (Concacaf)
Fifa Series: Saudi Arabia B
Bermuda (Concacaf)
Brunei (AFC)
Guinea (CAF)
Vanuatu (OFC)
FIFA Series: Sri Lanka
Bhutan (AFC)
Papua New Guinea (OFC)
Central African Republic (CAF)
Sri Lanka (AFC)
Who is playing?
⚽️
Where are the matches being held?
🌍
Everything you need to know ahead of the pilot phase of the FIFA Series, which is taking place from 18 to 26 March 2024 across four locations.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) February 27, 2024
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