FIFA Series 2026/27

The FIFA Series is a biennial invitational football tournament designed to provide competitive opportunities for national teams, particularly those from smaller or developing associations. First proposed in December 2022 and held for the first time in March 2024, the competition facilitates cross-confederation matches that are classified as international friendlies but structured as a tournament. The format typically involves centralized venues hosting groups of four teams from different confederations, playing a round-robin stage followed by knockout finals for the top spots. Participation is by invitation only, with no promotion or relegation, and the event is supported by FIFA Forward funding to cover logistics. This financial support aims to increase global exposure and competitive balance for nations that struggle to arrange friendlies independently. The 2026 edition marked a significant expansion, featuring 36 men's teams divided into 12 groups across hosts including Australia, Indonesia, and Rwanda. In the men's category, Bulgaria secured the 2026 title by defeating Indonesia 1–0 in Jakarta, becoming the only men's team to have won multiple editions of the tournament, having also claimed the inaugural 2024 title against Egypt. That same year, the competition expanded to include women's national teams for the first time. The women's inaugural edition took place in April 2026 across Brazil, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Thailand. Thailand won the women's title by defeating DR Congo 2–0 in the final. The tournament is distinct from the FIFA Club World Cup and the discontinued Confederations Cup, serving a developmental purpose rather than crowning continental champions. While the competition does not yet have a single permanent most successful team due to its short history, it provides a structured platform for emerging footballing nations to test themselves against diverse opposition.