FIFA Series 2026 expands to 48 teams as New Zealand, Solomon Islands and American Samoa compete in global fixtures
FIFA has confirmed the full list of hosts and group compositions for the FIFA Series 2026™️, marking a major step in the expansion of the initiative for men’s and women’s national teams.
A total of 48 national teams from all six FIFA confederations will compete in the FIFA Series 2026, representing nearly a quarter of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations. Matches will take place during the international windows in March and April, with teams divided into 12 groups of four.
Eleven FIFA Member Associations will host the events, with Rwanda hosting two groups. The competition will feature nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, highlighting FIFA’s commitment to inclusive and global participation.
Hosts and Participation
The confirmed hosts for the men’s groups are:
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Indonesia
- Kazakhstan
- New Zealand
- Puerto Rico
- Rwanda
- Uzbekistan
The women’s groups will be hosted in:
- Brazil
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Thailand
From the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), New Zealand, Solomon Islands and American Samoa will take part in the men’s competition, while one OFC women’s team is yet to be confirmed.
OFC Teams and Group Allocations
- New Zealand will host a men’s group featuring Finland, Chile and Cabo Verde.
- Solomon Islands will compete alongside Bulgaria, St Kitts and Nevis, with Indonesia as host.
- American Samoa will play in a group with hosts Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and fellow Pacific nation Guam.
- One OFC women’s team (to be confirmed) will compete in a group with hosts Thailand, Nepal and Congo DR.
Global Reach and Development Focus
All FIFA Series 2026 matches will be broadcast globally, providing international exposure for participating teams and improved access for fans worldwide.
The competition brings together national teams across a wide competitive spectrum. On the men’s side, teams range from Australia (ranked 26th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking) to emerging nations such as the US Virgin Islands (ranked 207th). In the women’s competition, teams include Brazil (ranked 7th) and Turks and Caicos Islands (ranked 194th).
Five men’s teams participating in the FIFA Series 2026—Australia, Cabo Verde, Curaçao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan—have also qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™️, underlining the tournament’s competitive relevance.
Beyond match play, the FIFA Series supports broader football development. Hosting and participating Member Associations gain experience in event delivery, competition organisation, referee development and operational planning, reflecting the standards of major international tournaments.
The FIFA Series 2026 aligns with FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game 2023–2027, offering cross-confederation competition without increasing the number of fixtures on the international match calendar.
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
- 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 (TBC)
- Thailand (host)
Match schedules for all FIFA Series 2026 events will be announced in due course.
SOURCE : FIFA
