The International Football Association (FIFA) has announced a series of friendly matches to be held during the international calendar period in March next month.
In a statement released via its official website, FIFA stated that in line with the strategic objectives of the global game and based on the decision made by the FIFA Council in December 2022, FIFA will launch the experimental phase of the FIFA Series during the international match period designated for March 2024.
FIFA will support its member associations in organizing a series of international friendly matches, each featuring four national teams from different continental federations.
These matches will take place in a host country, providing member associations with a greater opportunity to face national teams from other continents in international matches, creating new opportunities for technical development that were not previously available to many countries.
Additionally, the FIFA series will provide member associations with additional commercial opportunities, as well as placing them in the spotlight on the international football stage.
The experimental project will take place from March 18th to 26th, 2024, with the full launch of the FIFA series scheduled for the same month in 2026.
The 2024 edition will see the participation of teams from all six continental federations, with subsequent editions of the FIFA series set to take place during the international match period designated for March in every even-numbered year.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated: “The FIFA series already represents a positive step and a qualitative leap on the global stage for national team football.
Member associations have long expressed their desire and determination to test their mettle against counterparts from around the world, and now they can do so.
Hosting more beneficial matches will enrich the footballing experience for players, teams, and fans, while tangibly contributing to the development of the game.”
The experimental phase of the international calendar overseen by FIFA includes a tournament held in Algeria featuring Andorra, Bolivia, South Africa, and Algeria.
Another tournament will take place in Azerbaijan with Bulgaria, Mongolia, Tanzania, and Azerbaijan, while another will be held in Saudi Arabia with two groups: the first featuring Cape Verde, Cambodia, Guinea, and the second featuring Bermuda, Brunei, and Guinea. Another tournament will be held in Sri Lanka with the participation of Central Africa and Papua New Guinea.
