Withdrawals force change to FIFA Series 2026 schedule
FIFA has confirmed revisions to the FIFA Series 2026 schedule, with changes to the men’s competition following the withdrawal of Kuwait and Oman due to “extraordinary circumstances.”
The adjustments affect fixtures in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, where new matchups have been introduced to maintain the tournament structure. Azerbaijan will now host St Lucia and Sierra Leone, while Kazakhstan will stage a three-team series featuring Comoros and Namibia across late March.
MORE: Football betting 2026
Despite the changes, the broader tournament remains intact, with 50 men’s and women’s teams competing across 12 host nations. The men’s matches will be played between March 25 and 31.
Importantly, the revised schedule does not impact qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, but the Series continues to serve as a key preparation platform.
Five participating men’s teams — including Australia (Socceroos at the World Cup), New Zealand and Uzbekistan — have already qualified and will use the fixtures to fine-tune squads ahead of the tournament.
The competition also provides emerging nations with rare exposure to international opposition, supporting FIFA’s long-term development pathway ahead of the expanded 2026 World Cup.
While betting will be available on the FIFA Series 2026 event, there will not be as many markets as major competitions, like the World Cup. Y
FIFA Series 2026 schedule
