The world football governing body, FIFA, has revealed that it will implement the pilot phase of the FIFA Series during the upcoming Men’s International Match Calendar window in March 2024.
The decision to implement the FIFA Series is in line with the Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023–2027 and is a follow-up to a decision taken by the FIFA Council in December 2022.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the FIFA Series will see world football’s governing body support its member associations in organizing international friendly matches comprising four national teams from different confederations in a single host country.
“The FIFA Series is a really positive step forward for national-team football at the global level,” said Infantino. “Our member associations have been telling us for a long time now of their desire to test themselves against their counterparts from all around the world, and now they can do so within the current Men’s International Match Calendar.”
Seven African nations will take part in the pilot project that will run from March 18 to 26, 2024, with a full roll-out set for March 2026.
The countries are Algeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, Cape Verde, and Guinea.
Algeria will host one of the FIFA series, with South Africa, Andorra, and Bolivia all set to take place.
Tanzania will test themselves against UEFA nations Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, with Mongolia completing the teams set for battle in Azerbaijan.
Two FIFA-Series tournaments will take place in Saudi Arabia, with CAF members Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, and Guinea all expected to play in the matches.
Meanwhile, the Central African Republic will travel to Sri Lanka for the series.
