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FIFA announces hosts and groups for expanded FIFA Series 2026

Under the expanded format announced in November 2025, the FIFA Series 2026 will feature 12 groups of four teams each, to be played during the international match windows in March and April.

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FIFA has confirmed the full list of hosts and group compositions for the expanded FIFA Series 2026 bringing together 48 national teams from all six confederations in one of the most inclusive international initiatives in global football.

Under the expanded format announced in November 2025, the FIFA Series 2026 will feature 12 groups of four teams each, to be played during the international match windows in March and April. The participating teams represent almost a quarter of FIFA’s 211 Member Associations, underscoring the growing scale and global reach of the competition.

Eleven FIFA Member Associations will host the events, with Rwanda staging two groups, bringing the total number of groups to 12.

The series includes nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with competitions taking place across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America and South America.

The men’s groups will be hosted by Australia, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Rwanda and Uzbekistan, while the women’s groups will be staged in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand.

FIFA said the line-up highlights the truly global nature of the FIFA Series and its commitment to supporting both men’s and women’s national teams.

All matches in the FIFA Series 2026 will be broadcast globally, improving access for fans worldwide and increasing exposure for participating national teams, particularly those from emerging football nations.

The competition brings together teams with a wide range of competitive profiles.

On the men’s side, participants range from established teams such as Australia, currently ranked 26th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, to developing nations like the US Virgin Islands, ranked 207th. In the women’s competition, teams include Brazil, ranked seventh globally, as well as Turks and Caicos Islands, ranked 194th.

Five men’s teams involved in the FIFA Series 2026 — Australia, Cabo Verde, Curaçao, New Zealand and Uzbekistan — have already qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, adding competitive relevance to the development-focused tournament.

Beyond on-field competition, FIFA said the series also supports off-field development, giving host and participating associations valuable experience in event delivery, referee development, competition organisation and operational planning under conditions similar to major international tournaments.

FIFA added that the FIFA Series 2026 aligns with its Strategic Objectives for the Global Game 2023–2027, offering cross-confederation competition without adding pressure to the international match calendar, while promoting technical growth, organisational development and global exchange. Match schedules for all events will be announced at a later date.

MEN’S GROUPS

Australia (AFC)

Australia (host)
Cameroon
China PR
Curaçao

Azerbaijan (UEFA)

Azerbaijan (host)
Oman
Sierra Leone
St Lucia

Indonesia (AFC)

Bulgaria
Indonesia (host)
Solomon Islands
St Kitts and Nevis

Kazakhstan (UEFA)

Comoros
Kazakhstan (host)
Kuwait
Namibia

New Zealand (OFC)

Cabo Verde
Chile
Finland
New Zealand (host)

Puerto Rico (Concacaf)

American Samoa
Guam
Puerto Rico (host)
US Virgin Islands

Rwanda(CAF) – Group A

Estonia
Grenada
Kenya
Rwanda (host)

Rwanda (CAF) – Group B

Aruba
Liechtenstein
Macau
Tanzania

Uzbekistan (AFC)

Gabon
Trinidad and Tobago
Uzbekistan (host)
Venezuela

Match schedules for all FIFA Series 2026 events will be announced in due course.

International Sports

AFC Champions League Elite delivers key results as race for knockout stage intensifies

In Tuesday’s action, Sanfrecce Hiroshima claimed a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim, strengthening their position as the race for qualification tightens.

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The AFC Champions League Elite continued on Tuesday, February 10, with four crucial matches that further shaped the standings in Asia’s premier club competition, as teams battle for places in the knockout rounds.

The AFC Champions League Elite is the top tier of Asian club football, bringing together the continent’s strongest teams in a league-phase format before progressing to the Round of 16 and the knockout stages later in the season.

In Tuesday’s action, Sanfrecce Hiroshima claimed a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim, strengthening their position as the race for qualification tightens.

Vissel Kobe continued their impressive campaign with a composed 2–0 win against FC Seoul, reinforcing their push near the top of the standings.

Elsewhere, Buriram United picked up a vital 1–0 away victory over Chengdu Rongcheng, a result that keeps the Thai side firmly in contention for a place in the Round of 16.

Machida Zelvia also enjoyed a successful night on the road, defeating Shanghai Shenhua 2–0 to boost their hopes of progressing from the league phase.

The competition continues on Wednesday with more decisive fixtures on the schedule. Gangwon FC face Shanghai Port in a clash where both sides will be looking to secure valuable points, while Ulsan HD FC host Melbourne City FC in a high-profile encounter with major implications for the standings.

All AFC Champions League Elite matches are being broadcast exclusively in Afghanistan on Ariana Television. Fans are encouraged to follow official social media pages for the latest match schedules, updates, and highlights as the tournament moves closer to the knockout stages.

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International Sports

Winter Olympics: Milan action continues with packed schedule on Tuesday

Tuesday’s schedule meanwhile also features a full slate of events, including short-track speed skating finals, cross-country skiing sprints, figure skating competitions and additional freestyle and alpine skiing action.

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Competition continued across multiple venues at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Monday, with medals decided in speed skating, snowboarding and curling as the Games gathered momentum.

Monday’s highlights included high-stakes finals on the ice and snow, as athletes from Europe and Asia featured prominently in speed skating and snowboard events, while curling teams completed round-robin play to determine semifinal match-ups. Several nations strengthened their early medal positions as crowds filled venues in Milan and the surrounding alpine regions.

Tuesday’s schedule meanwhile also features a full slate of events, including short-track speed skating finals, cross-country skiing sprints, figure skating competitions and additional freestyle and alpine skiing action.

Curling medal matches and women’s ice hockey games are also set to take place as the Olympic programme intensifies.

Organisers said competition would continue throughout the day across multiple sites, with several medal events expected to draw strong international interest.

In Afghanistan, Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds exclusive broadcast rights to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Fans are also encouraged to follow Ariana News and Ariana Television’s official social media platforms for updated daily schedules, results and coverage from the Games.

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International Sports

IPL 2026: Franchise sales gather pace as global investors circle teams

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been put on the market by its current owner and is estimated to be worth up to $2 billion.

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Developments off the field are drawing growing attention ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, with two franchises — Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals — formally up for sale and attracting interest from high-profile domestic and international investors.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the league’s most recognisable teams, has been put on the market by its current owner, Diageo’s United Spirits Ltd, following a strategic review. The sale process is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026. Market estimates suggest the franchise could be valued at around $2 billion, reflecting the soaring commercial value of the IPL.

Several bidders have been shortlisted for RCB, including investment groups led by Indian industrialists, private equity firms and overseas sports owners. Among those reported to have shown interest is a consortium linked to the Glazer family, co-owners of English Premier League club Manchester United. Non-binding bids have already been submitted, with binding offers expected in the coming weeks.

Rajasthan Royals (RR), winners of the inaugural IPL title in 2008, are also in the process of being sold. A shortlist of potential buyers has been finalised, featuring a mix of Indian and international investors, including private equity firms, entrepreneurs and media-linked groups. The franchise is expected to attract a valuation of more than $1 billion, according to market estimates.

Final bids for Rajasthan Royals are anticipated in early March, while the RCB transaction is expected to move into its final phase later this month. Any change in ownership will require approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The potential sales mark one of the most significant ownership shake-ups in IPL history and underline the league’s growing appeal as a global sports investment as preparations continue for the 2026 season.

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