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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 connect outside their usual confederation boundaries. Additional countries set to host the FIFA Series 2026 are Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, and Uzbekistan. Talks are also ongoing with other FIFA Member Associations that may join as additional host nations in the coming months. But what exactly is the FIFA Series? It is a new football initiative launched by FIFA to provide national teams with more chances to play international matches, particularly for those that rarely face teams from other continents. Approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the FIFA Series allows nations developing their football presence to experience competition under conditions similar to major tournaments, promoting both technical and organizational growth. The pilot edition was held in March 2024 in Egypt, where teams were grouped into small tournaments of four countries and played friendly matches at a competitive level. Building on the success of the 2024 edition, the FIFA Series 2026 represents the first full-scale implementation of this initiative, featuring more Participating Member Associations (PMAs), more host nations, and for the first time, a dedicated women’s tournament. What is the structure? 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, and 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 significant? 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 take part? The FIFA Series is open to all FIFA-affiliated members.

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