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Rwanda is one of eight countries confirmed by FIFA, the global football governing body, to host the 2026 FIFA Series, which will be held during the international match window in March and April. The event will provide national teams from various continents with a unique opportunity to compete and interact beyond their usual confederation boundaries. Other nations scheduled to host the FIFA Series 2026 are Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, and Uzbekistan. Talks are also underway with additional FIFA Member Associations that may join as hosts in the coming months. But what exactly is the FIFA Series? It is a new football initiative launched by FIFA to offer national teams more chances to play international matches, particularly those that rarely face teams from other continents. Approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the FIFA Series also enables countries developing their football presence to experience competition under conditions similar to major tournaments, thus promoting both technical and organizational growth. The pilot edition was held in March 2024 in Egypt. Teams were divided into small tournaments of four countries and played friendly matches, but at a competitive level. Building on the success of the 2024 edition, the FIFA Series 2026 represents the first full-scale implementation of this program, featuring more Participating Member Associations (PMAs), more host nations, and for the first time, a dedicated women’s version. What is the format? The FIFA Series is not a traditional World Cup-style competition. Instead, it consists of mini-friendly tournaments involving national teams from all six FIFA confederations (Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, Concacaf). Each team plays a maximum of two matches. There are no quarter-finals, semi-finals, or finals. At the end, points are tallied as they would be in a mini-championship. Croatia won the first edition after defeating hosts Egypt 4-2. Building on the success of the 2024 edition, the FIFA Series 2026 marks the first full-scale implementation of this initiative, featuring more Participating Member Associations, more hosts, and for the first time, a dedicated women’s iteration. Why is the FIFA Series important? The FIFA Series helps smaller football nations gain more exposure, discover new playing styles, provide players and coaches with valuable experience, and strengthen football cooperation between countries. It aims to make international football more balanced and global. The tournament does not offer prize money like the World Cup. Its main objectives are development, experience, and visibility. Teams do not receive direct financial rewards, but they benefit from experience, FIFA ranking points, and media attention. Who can participate? The FIFA Series is open to all FIFA-affiliated members.

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