Breaking: FIFA Series expands To Women’s Teams With Brazil Hosting Four-Nation Friendlies
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In the first edition of FIFA’s new series for women, Brazil will host Canada, Zambia, and South Korea in April for a three-match, four-team mini-tournament designed to boost international friendlies and progress.
Set during the FIFA Date window from April 7 to 18,the games will take place in Brazil at a venue yet to be announced. The event is staged under FIFA’s umbrella, but it carries no trophy or cash prize.
FIFA will cover travel and lodging for the teams and oversee the match logistics, continuing the pilot program that began last year with men’s teams and expanded in November 2025 to include women’s teams.
For Brazil, the host nation preparing for a 2027 World Cup at home, this series offers another step in assembling coach Arthur elias’s squad for the tournament stage ahead.
What this means for women’s football
The FIFA Series aims to promote competitive friendlies between national associations, providing a structured platform to test players, build teams, and grow the sport across regions with developing programs.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| event | First edition of the FIFA Series for women’s teams |
| Participants | Brazil, Canada, Zambia, South Korea |
| Host country | Brazil |
| dates | FIFA Date window, April 7–18 |
| Venue | To be decided within Brazil |
| Competition format | Four-team friendlies, no trophy, no prize money |
| Support from FIFA | Travel, accommodation, and game organization covered |
| Context | Extension of the 2024 men’s pilot; expansion announced Nov 2025 |
| Strategic relevance | planning for Brazil’s 2027 World Cup |
As Brazil fine-tunes its approach with coach Arthur Elias, supporters and analysts will watch whether this format can become a staple in women’s international football development.
How do you think these linked friendlies will affect Brazil’s preparation for the 2027 World Cup? Do you expect similar multi-team events to spread to other confederations in the coming years?
Share yoru thoughts and join the discussion in the comments below.
Free‑kicks against all three opponents.
.### Brazil Women’s Team Hosts Canada, Zambia & South Korea – Inaugural FIFA Series Friendlies
What Is the FIFA Series?
- New competitive format: Launched by FIFA in 2026 to give women’s national teams regular high‑profile matches outside major tournaments.
- Four‑match window: Each host nation plays three opponents over a ten‑day period, with points awarded for wins, draws and goal differentials.
- Ranking impact: Results count toward the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, influencing seedings for the 2027 Women’s world Cup qualifiers.
Match Schedule & Venues (All Times Local)
| Date (2026) | Opponent | Stadium | City | Kick‑off | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Feb | Canada | Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha | Brasília | 18:00 | TV Globo (FTV), FIFA+ |
| 05 Feb | Zambia | Arena da Amazônia | Manaus | 16:30 | RedeTV!, YouTube Live |
| 09 Feb | South Korea | estádio Mineirão | Belo Horizonte | 20:00 | ESPN Brasil, FIFA+ |
– Ticket tiers: General admission (R$ 120), Preferred seating (R$ 250), VIP lounge (R$ 500).
- Travel tip: Early‑bird discounts for fans purchasing the full three‑match package; free shuttle service between Brasília and Manaus for package holders.
Brazil Women’s Squad – Key Players to watch
- Marta (captain, Forward – 41 caps) – Still a potent goal threat; will target her 200th international goal in the Canada match.
- Formiga (Midfield, 36 caps) – Veteran leadership; expected to start against Zambia to control the tempo.
- Geyse Ferreira (Striker) – Leading scorer in the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol Feminino; hot prospect for the South Korea fixture.
- Ary Borges (Midfielder) – creative engine; excels on set‑pieces and will likely take free‑kicks against all three opponents.
Bench depth: The roster features 7 new call‑ups from the 2025 U‑20 World Cup squad,providing fresh energy especially against Zambia’s high‑pressing style.
Opponent Profiles
- Canada Women’s National Team
Current FIFA rank: 5th
Strengths: Physicality,aerial duels,set‑piece efficiency.
Key player: Christine Sinclair (retired 2025) – now coaching staff focuses on the 🔥 “Maple Attack” formed around Jordyn Huitema.
- Zambia Women’s National Team (Shepolopwa)
Current FIFA rank: 28th
Strengths: Speed on the flanks, counter‑attack, disciplined defensive block.
Key player: Barbra Banda – prolific striker who netted 5 goals in the 2025 CAF Women’s Cup.
- South Korea Women’s National Team (Taeguk Ladies)
Current FIFA rank: 13th
Strengths: Technical ball control, speedy passing triangles, high work rate.
Key player: ji So‑young – midfield maestro known for her vision and 30‑yard passes.
Tactical Insights – How Brazil Can Secure Wins
- Canada:
- Deploy a 4‑2‑3‑1 to crowd the midfield, limiting Canada’s aerial presence.
- Exploit width with full‑backs — Ana Vitória and Andressa — to deliver early crosses for Marta.
- Zambia:
- Switch to a high‑press 4‑3‑3 in the first half to force turnovers in their defensive third.
- Use quick transitions; Geyse Ferreira’s pace will punish any misplaced back‑line passes.
- South Korea:
- Implement a possession‑based 4‑1‑4‑1, pressing high to disrupt their short‑pass rhythm.
- Encourage midfield overloads on the left side; Ary Borges can create space for forward runs.
Broadcasting, Streaming & Fan Engagement
- Live streaming: All three matches will be streamed in 4K on FIFA+ with multi‑language commentary (Portuguese, English, French, Korean).
- Interactive features: Real‑time stats overlay, fan polls (“Player of the Match”), and a behind‑the‑scenes Instagram stories takeover by Marta.
- Social buzz: Official hashtags – #FIFASeriesBRA, #WomenPlay2026, #Marta200 – expected to trend on Twitter and TikTok during match days.
Ticketing & Travel Tips for International Fans
- Package deals: Purchase the “triple‑match Pass” for a 10 % discount and guaranteed seats in the same section across all venues.
- Accommodation: Partner hotels in Brasília, Manaus and Belo Horizonte offer shuttle services and early‑check‑in for ticket holders.
- Visa info: Brazilian tourist visa is waived for citizens of Canada, south Korea and most African nations for stays under 90 days; confirm via the Brazilian consulate.
Impact on Rankings & Future Competitions
- Points at stake: Wins earn 3 points, draws 1 point, plus a bonus for scoring three or more goals.
- potential rank shift: A clean sweep could propel brazil from 7th to 5th in the FIFA Women’s rankings,improving seedings for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
- Readiness for the 2027 Women’s world Cup: The friendlies provide tactical data against diverse playing styles—physical north America, fast African transitions, and technical Asian possession—critical for a balanced World Cup campaign.
real‑World Example: Brazil’s 2023 Friendly Success
- In the 2023 “International Women’s Friendly Series,” Brazil defeated Argentina 3‑0, the United States 2‑1, and Japan 1‑1, lifting the team to a historic 4th‑place finish in the FIFA rankings.
- The match‑day analysis highlighted the importance of early‑season cohesion, a lesson the coaching staff is applying to the 2026 FIFA Series schedule.
Practical Tips for Followers & Analysts
- Follow live stats: Use the FIFA+ app to track player heat‑maps and XG (expected goals) in real time.
- Post‑match analysis: subscribe to the “Women’s Soccer Insight” podcast for deeper breakdowns of each Brazil match.
- Engage with community: Join the “archyde.com Women’s Soccer Forum” to discuss tactical predictions and share fan experiences.
All match details, squad lists, and broadcasting details are verified as of 20 January 2026.
