Equatorial Guinea, Algeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Guinea, and the Central African Republic have been selected to participate in the maiden edition of the FIFA Series, scheduled to kick off in March 2024.
Algeria, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka have been chosen as hosts and organizers for the pilot projects, with a vision to pave the way for a new era of intercontinental friendlies.
The FIFA Series, introduced by the world football governing body, FIFA, aims to create a unique platform for member associations to engage in a series of international matches.
The format will feature groups comprising four teams from different confederations, converging in a single host country for a set of matches.
This novel approach is expected to foster technical development among participating nations, providing a stage for diverse footballing cultures to collide.
The pilot phase, set to unfold from March 18 to 26, 2024, will act as a precursor to the official launch scheduled for March 2026.
In this historic edition, teams from six confederations will engage in the series, marking the commencement of a biennial footballing spectacle coinciding with the March window of the international match calendar.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, expressed enthusiasm about the transformative potential of the FIFA Series, stating, “The FIFA Series represents a valuable step forward for international football.”
The participating teams in the pilot phase of the 2024 FIFA Series include:
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)
This inaugural event marks a significant stride towards globalizing football, providing participating member associations with enhanced commercial opportunities and increased visibility on the international stage.
As the football community eagerly awaits the kickoff, the FIFA Series promises to be a landmark addition to the international football calendar, offering fans a captivating showcase of talent from diverse corners of the footballing world.
