FIFA Incorporates International Friendly Quadrangular Tournament in Egypt into Its New Series
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced on Monday that it has included the friendly quadrangular tournament hosted by Egypt, with the participation of Tunisia, Croatia, and New Zealand, in its new series of international friendly matches during the international break, known as the "FIFA Series".
Originally scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates, the friendly tournament will now be held in Egypt from March 22 to 26.
FIFA had previously launched a "pilot project" which is set to take place biennially during the international break to allow teams from different continents to play against each other.
FIFA chose four countries to host the pilot edition: Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka, with Egypt now joining the list.
Each host country will facilitate a series of matches during the international break.
"The hosting of the FIFA Series in Egypt has been announced with the expansion of this year's pilot phase to include four teams," FIFA stated on its website. "Croatia, Egypt, Tunisia, and New Zealand will compete in international friendlies from March 22 to 26, 2024, in Cairo, the host city."
Egypt is set to play against New Zealand at the Egyptian Stadium, which is the second-largest stadium in Africa after Soccer City in South Africa, in the semi-finals on Friday. On the same day, Tunisia will face Croatia, with the final scheduled four days later.
Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s captain, will be absent from the squad as the Liverpool striker has chosen to remain with his club to continue his recovery following an injury he sustained during the African Cup of Nations in January that prevented him from finishing the tournament.
Ibrahim Hassan, Director of the Egyptian team, said, “We didn’t exclude Salah but this is based on his request and the letter that Liverpool sent to the football association. Salah prefers to be absent now, wishing to gradually return to participating with his team".
Salah has returned to the starting lineup in Liverpool's last two games in all competitions after being on the bench since February.
Initiative
Despite lacking titles or monetary prizes, FIFA's initiative aims to assist teams that do not have the chance to compete against teams from other continental federations. FIFA will cover the travel costs associated with participation.
FIFA mentioned in its statement that the first edition of the FIFA Series will be held with 24 national teams across three continents.
The following teams are participating in the March FIFA Series:
Algeria:
Teams: Algeria, Bolivia, Andorra, and South Africa.
Azerbaijan:
Teams: Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Tanzania, and Bulgaria.
Egypt:
Teams: Croatia, Egypt, Tunisia, and New Zealand.
Sri Lanka:
Teams: Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, and the Central African Republic.
Saudi Arabia:
Group One: Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, and Cambodia.
Group Two: Guinea, Vanuatu, Bermuda, and Brunei.
FIFA had previously launched a "pilot project" which is set to take place biennially during the international break to allow teams from different continents to play against each other.
FIFA chose four countries to host the pilot edition: Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka, with Egypt now joining the list.
Each host country will facilitate a series of matches during the international break.
"The hosting of the FIFA Series in Egypt has been announced with the expansion of this year's pilot phase to include four teams," FIFA stated on its website. "Croatia, Egypt, Tunisia, and New Zealand will compete in international friendlies from March 22 to 26, 2024, in Cairo, the host city."
Egypt is set to play against New Zealand at the Egyptian Stadium, which is the second-largest stadium in Africa after Soccer City in South Africa, in the semi-finals on Friday. On the same day, Tunisia will face Croatia, with the final scheduled four days later.
Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s captain, will be absent from the squad as the Liverpool striker has chosen to remain with his club to continue his recovery following an injury he sustained during the African Cup of Nations in January that prevented him from finishing the tournament.
Ibrahim Hassan, Director of the Egyptian team, said, “We didn’t exclude Salah but this is based on his request and the letter that Liverpool sent to the football association. Salah prefers to be absent now, wishing to gradually return to participating with his team".
Salah has returned to the starting lineup in Liverpool's last two games in all competitions after being on the bench since February.
Initiative
Despite lacking titles or monetary prizes, FIFA's initiative aims to assist teams that do not have the chance to compete against teams from other continental federations. FIFA will cover the travel costs associated with participation.
FIFA mentioned in its statement that the first edition of the FIFA Series will be held with 24 national teams across three continents.
The following teams are participating in the March FIFA Series:
Algeria:
Teams: Algeria, Bolivia, Andorra, and South Africa.
Azerbaijan:
Teams: Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Tanzania, and Bulgaria.
Egypt:
Teams: Croatia, Egypt, Tunisia, and New Zealand.
Sri Lanka:
Teams: Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Bhutan, and the Central African Republic.
Saudi Arabia:
Group One: Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, and Cambodia.
Group Two: Guinea, Vanuatu, Bermuda, and Brunei.
Translation:
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Translated by AI
