Competition Format

Overview

The FIFAe Nations League 2026 is played across three online qualifying-weeks, combining group stage play with knockout formats to ensure competitive integrity and sufficient playtime for all national teams:

• Week 1: 14-16 April
• Week 2: 12-14 May
• Week 3: 30 June – 02 July

Formats per region

The FIFAe Nations League 2026 is split into six regions: Asia East & Oceania, Asia West, Africa, North & Central America, South America, and Europe, following the formats as outlined below:

Asia East & Oceania

TOTAL: 22 national teams

Week 1 (15-16 April) & Week 2 (13-14 May):

• Group Stage:
  • 4 groups with 6 national teams in Group A and B, 5 national teams in Group C and D respectively
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 4 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 16 qualified national teams compete in a Single Elimination Bracket

Week 3 (30 June – 02 July):

• Same Group Stage Format as in Week 1 & 2
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 2 per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 8 qualified national teams compete in a Double Elimination Bracket

Asia West

TOTAL: 10 national teams

Week 1 (14-15 April) & Week 2 (12-13 May):

• Group Stage:
  • 2 groups with 5 national teams respectively
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 4 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 8 qualified national teams compete in a Single Elimination Bracket

Week 3 (30 June – 01 July):

• Same Group Stage Format as in Week 1 & 2
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 2 per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 4 qualified national teams compete in a Double Elimination Bracket

Africa

TOTAL: 22 national teams

Week 1 (14-15 April) & Week 2 (12-13 May):

• Group Stage:
  • 4 groups with 6 national teams in Group A and B, 5 national teams in Group C and D respectively
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 4 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 16 qualified national teams compete in a Single Elimination Bracket

Week 3 (30 June – 02 July):

• Same Group Stage Format as in Week 1 & 2
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 2 per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 8 qualified national teams compete in a Double Elimination Bracket

North & Central America

TOTAL: 13 national teams

Week 1 (15-16 April) & Week 2 (13-14 May):

• Group Stage:
  • 2 groups with 7 national teams in Group A and 6 national teams in Group B respectively
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 4 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 8 qualified national teams compete in a Single Elimination Bracket

Week 3 (30 June – 02 July):

• Same Group Stage Format as in Week 1 & 2
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 4 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 8 qualified national teams compete in a Double Elimination Bracket

South America

TOTAL: 8 national teams

Week 1 (15-16 April) & Week 2 (13-14 May):

• Group Stage:
  • 2 groups with 4 national teams respectively
• Knockout Stage:
  • All national teams advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 8 qualified national teams compete in a Single Elimination Bracket

Week 3 (30 June – 01 July):

• Same Group Stage Format as in Week 1 & 2
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 2 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 4 qualified national teams compete in a Double Elimination Bracket

Europe

TOTAL: 40 national teams

Week 1 (14-16 April) & Week 2 (12-14 May):

• Group Stage:
  • 8 groups with 5 national teams respectively
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 4 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 32 qualified national teams compete in a Single Elimination Bracket

Week 3 (30 June – 02 July):

• Same Group Stage Format as in Week 1 & 2
• Knockout Stage:
  • Top 2 national teams per group advance to the Knockout Stage
  • 16 qualified national teams compete in a Double Elimination Bracket

FIFAe Continental Championships

Qualification to the FIFAe Continental Championships is determined through the combined Consistency Points ranking of all three qualifying-weeks, alongside additional qualification spots awarded to the top-performing national teams in week 3. The exact number of qualification spots per region will be published soon.