When the March international window opens, attention in the region will shift to Rwanda.
Kigali will host two groups of the FIFA Series 2026™, turning the country into a meeting point for East Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.
With Kenya and Tanzania involved, the tournament offers the region a rare international stage.
The FIFA Series™, approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, was created to produce meaningful friendlies between teams from different confederations, fixtures that would not usually happen.
The 2026 edition will bring together 48 national teams in 12 groups across 11 host nations, with Rwanda uniquely staging two groups.
Group One: Amahoro stadium
At Amahoro Stadium, action begins on 27 March. Kenya face Estonia at 18:00 before Rwanda take on Grenada at 21:00. Four days later, the winners meet in the group final, while the losing teams play earlier that evening.
Any drawn match goes straight to penalties, adding bite to games officially labelled as friendlies.
For Kenya, it is a chance to test themselves against European opposition and possibly Caribbean opponents. For Rwanda, it is an opportunity to measure progress at home.
Group Two: Kigali Pele stadium
Across town at Kigali Pele Stadium, another mini-tournament unfolds.
On 26 March, Aruba play Macau before Tanzania face Liechtenstein at 16:30. The group concludes on 29 March with placement matches, losers first, winners later in the evening.
For Tanzania, the match against Liechtenstein offers valuable experience against European opposition in a format that guarantees two competitive fixtures.
Beyond Kigali, the FIFA Series 2026™ will also be staged in Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Uzbekistan, while women’s events will take place in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand.
But for East Africa, Kigali’s role stands out. Kenya and Tanzania will compete on the same Rwandan stage, facing unfamiliar opponents and different playing styles. Every group will produce a winner, and every team will gain exposure.
All matches will be broadcast globally, giving participating nations wider visibility.
FIFA Series 2026 – Men’s Match Schedule
Australia (Sydney & Melbourne)
Date Match Time Venue
27 Mar China vs Curaçao 17:00 Accor Stadium, Sydney
27 Mar Australia vs Cameroon 20:10 Accor Stadium, Sydney
31 Mar Cameroon vs China 17:00 AAMI Park, Melbourne
31 Mar Australia vs Curaçao 20:10 AAMI Park, Melbourne
⸻
Azerbaijan (Baku)
Date Match Time Venue
27 Mar Oman vs Sierra Leone 15:00 Dalga Arena
27 Mar Azerbaijan vs St Lucia 19:00 Dalga Arena
30 Mar Loser M1 vs Loser M2 15:00 Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium
30 Mar Winner M1 vs Winner M2 19:00 Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium
⸻
Indonesia (Jakarta)
Date Match Time Venue
27 Mar Solomon Islands vs Bulgaria 15:30 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
27 Mar Indonesia vs St Kitts & Nevis 20:00 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
30 Mar Loser M2 vs Loser M1 15:30 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
30 Mar Winner M2 vs Winner M1 20:00 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
⸻
Kazakhstan (Astana)
Date Match Time Venue
25 Mar Kazakhstan vs Comoros 15:00 Astana Arena
25 Mar Kuwait vs Namibia 20:00 Astana Arena
28 Mar Loser M1 vs Loser M2 15:00 Astana Arena
28 Mar Winner M1 vs Winner M2 20:00 Astana Arena
⸻
New Zealand (Auckland)
Date Match Time Venue
27 Mar Chile vs Cabo Verde 16:00 Eden Park
27 Mar New Zealand vs Finland 19:15 Eden Park
30 Mar Cabo Verde vs Finland 16:00 Eden Park
30 Mar New Zealand vs Chile 19:15 Eden Park
⸻
Puerto Rico (Bayamón)
Date Match Time Venue
25 Mar US Virgin Islands vs American Samoa 16:00 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
25 Mar Puerto Rico vs Guam 20:00 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
28 Mar Loser M1 vs Loser M2 16:00 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
28 Mar Winner M1 vs Winner M2 20:00 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium
⸻
Rwanda (Kigali – Amahoro Stadium)
Date Match Time
27 Mar Kenya vs Estonia 18:00
27 Mar Rwanda vs Grenada 21:00
31 Mar Loser M1 vs Loser M2 18:00
31 Mar Winner M1 vs Winner M2 21:00
⸻
Rwanda (Kigali – Kigali Pele Stadium)
Date Match Time
26 Mar Aruba vs Macau 13:30
26 Mar Tanzania vs Liechtenstein 16:30
29 Mar Loser M3 vs Loser M4 15:00
29 Mar Winner M3 vs Winner M4 18:00
⸻
Uzbekistan (Tashkent)
Date Match Time Venue
27 Mar Venezuela vs Trinidad & Tobago 15:00 Pakhtakor Stadium
27 Mar Uzbekistan vs Gabon 19:00 Bunyodkor Stadium
30 Mar Trinidad & Tobago vs Gabon 15:00 Pakhtakor Stadium
30 Mar Uzbekistan vs Venezuela 19:00 Bunyodkor Stadium
⸻
FIFA Series 2026 – Women’s Match Schedule
Brazil (Cuiabá – Arena Pantanal)
Date Match Time
11 Apr Canada vs Zambia 15:00
11 Apr Brazil vs Korea Republic 21:30
14 Apr Canada vs Korea Republic 15:00
14 Apr Brazil vs Zambia 21:30
18 Apr Korea Republic vs Zambia 15:00
18 Apr Brazil vs Canada 21:30
⸻
Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan – Stade Alassane Ouattara)
Date Match Time
9 Apr Pakistan vs Turks & Caicos 16:00
9 Apr Côte d’Ivoire vs Mauritania 19:30
12 Apr Mauritania vs Pakistan 16:00
12 Apr Turks & Caicos vs Côte d’Ivoire 19:30
16 Apr Turks & Caicos vs Mauritania 16:00
16 Apr Côte d’Ivoire vs Pakistan 19:30
⸻
Thailand (Ratchaburi Stadium)
Date Match Time
12 Apr Nepal vs DR Congo 16:00
12 Apr Thailand vs OFC Team 20:30
15 Apr Loser M1 vs Loser M2 16:00
15 Apr Winner M1 vs Winner M2 20:30
