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When the March international window opens, East Africa’s attention will turn to Rwanda.
Kigali will host two groups of the FIFA Series 2026™, turning the city into a meeting point for teams from East Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia.
With Kenya and Tanzania both involved, the tournament offers the region a rare chance to test itself against unfamiliar opposition.
Approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the FIFA Series was created to deliver meaningful friendlies between nations from different confederations, fixtures that rarely fit into the normal calendar.
The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams across 12 groups in 11 host countries. Rwanda is the only nation hosting two groups.
Action at Amahoro Stadium starts 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.
Though labelled friendlies, the matches are competitive. Any draw goes straight to penalties, with no extra time, ensuring every game produces a winner.
For Kenya, it is a valuable European test and potentially a Caribbean one. For Rwanda, hosting offers a chance to measure progress in front of home fans.
Group Two – Kigali Pele Stadium
Kigali Pele Stadium will stage the second mini-tournament.
On 26 March, Aruba play Macau before Tanzania face Liechtenstein at 16:30. Placement matches follow on 29 March, with the losers meeting first and the winners contesting the later fixture.
Tanzania’s clash with Liechtenstein provides a useful European test, with the format guaranteeing two competitive matches.
Beyond Kigali, the FIFA Series 2026™ will also be held in Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Uzbekistan in the men’s competition, while women’s tournaments will take place in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand.
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