Pakistan set to make history in FIFA Women’s Series 2026

For the first time ever, Pakistan will feature in a FIFA event as the national women’s football team prepares to compete in the 2026 FIFA Series in Côte d’Ivoire this April.

This historic milestone marks a turning point for women’s football in Pakistan, highlighting the growing opportunities, recognition, and momentum for the sport in the country.

The debut of the women’s team on the global stage is more than just a sporting achievement as it represents a major boost for female participation in football nationwide. By facing international opponents from different continents, the team will inspire young girls across Pakistan, proving that women’s football is not only viable but also capable of reaching the highest levels of global competition.

This moment is expected to ignite greater interest, investment, and development in the women’s game, from grassroots programs to national leagues.

FIFA has officially confirmed the participants for the FIFA Women’s Series in Ivory Coast and Pakistan will face Mauritania, Turks and Caicos Islands, and hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage.

The FIFA Series 2026 is a truly global event, featuring 48 national teams across 12 groups during the March–April international window. Matches will be hosted by 11 FIFA member associations, with Rwanda hosting two groups, bringing the total to 12. The tournament includes nine men’s groups and three women’s groups, with representation from all six FIFA confederations, meaning nearly a quarter of FIFA’s 211 member associations will take part.

The men’s groups for the 2026 FIFA Series will feature a diverse set of teams from around the world, with Australia hosting Cameroon, China PR and Curaçao; Azerbaijan hosting Oman, Sierra Leone and St Lucia; Indonesia hosting Bulgaria, the Solomon Islands and St Kitts and Nevis; Kazakhstan hosting Comoros, Kuwait and Namibia; New Zealand hosting Cabo Verde, Chile and Finland; Puerto Rico hosting American Samoa, Guam and the US Virgin Islands; Rwanda hosting Group A (Estonia, Grenada, Kenya and Rwanda) and Group B (Aruba, Liechtenstein, Macau and Tanzania); and Uzbekistan hosting Gabon, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

Meanwhile, the women’s groups will be staged in Brazil with Brazil, Canada, Korea Republic and Zambia; Côte d’Ivoire with hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Pakistan and Turks and Caicos Islands; and Thailand with Congo DR, Nepal, an OFC team and Thailand as hosts.

Aligned with FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game 2023–2027, the FIFA Series provides national teams with opportunities for cross-confederation competition without adding fixtures to the international calendar. The initiative also focuses on technical growth, organizational development, and global exchange, offering countries like Pakistan a platform to develop their teams and gain invaluable international experience.