Biennial Fifa series of friendly games to launch in March

Fifa are launching a new series of friendly matches in one location during the international window called the Fifa Series, with a pilot project kicking off in four countries next month, world soccer's governing body said on Monday.

Although there are no trophies or prize money, the series is designed to benefit national teams that do not have the opportunity to play teams from other confederations, with Fifa set to cover travel costs.

A soft launch of the Fifa Series will take place from 18 2 26 March at four locations -- Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka. Four teams will be based in one location and will play two matches each.

Coming soon: the FIFA Series ⚽️

FIFA is facilitating inter-confederation friendlies during the March match window of even years to provide more member associations around the world with key playing opportunities.

Everything you need to know:

"Some countries have never played teams outside their confederations," Elkhan Mammadov, Fifa's Regional Member Associations Director for Europe, told reporters.

"They can gain competitive experience playing teams outside their own confederation, playing teams with a completely different style of play.

"Currently we have 20 teams for the pilot edition. For the 2026 edition we hope to have many more."

Who is playing?
Where are the matches being held?

Everything you need to know ahead of the pilot phase of the FIFA Series, which is taking place from 18 to 26 March 2024 across four locations.

Saudi Arabia will host two groups although the hosts themselves will not be involved in the matches, which are designed to benefit teams that have never qualified for the World Cup.

"The next World Cup (in 2026) will have 48 teams which means you may have many member