FIFA has confirmed a major expansion of its “FIFA Series,” which could open the door for the Pakistan national team to get some much-needed experience against non-continental teams.
The FIFA Series is a biennial international tournament designed to give lower-ranked and financially limited national teams more chances to compete across continents. The 2026 edition will now be larger than ever, giving each nation more opportunities to tune up their squads in a competitive environment.
The initiative made its debut in 2024 with mixed turnouts, but it still produced several standout moments. While some venues struggled to attract crowds, Egypt’s clash with Croatia in Cairo drew more than 85,000 spectators, signalling that the concept can generate serious buzz in the right markets.
For the next cycle, FIFA has selected a diverse group of host countries for the men’s edition. Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan will all stage matches, with the full list of participating teams to be announced early next year.
For the first time ever, the FIFA Series will also feature a women’s tournament, which will kick off with Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Thailand set as inaugural hosts.
FIFA says the project is aimed at helping national teams that rarely get cross-continental exposure. The global body will cover travel, accommodation, and other logistical costs to ensure more teams can take part without financial strain.
If Pakistan can find a way to make itself part of the upcoming tournament, it will help the national team immensely as it looks to finally earn recognition on the international stage.
All eyes will now be on the Pakistan Football Federation and their response to this opportunity.