Coach of the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, Lovemore Fazili says the 2026 FIFA Series, set for 11–15 April in Kenya, will serve as a litmus test for players seeking to prove their readiness for national duty.
Fazili said this at a press briefing in Kenya when his side was preparing to face Australia at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi this afternoon.
The match will be played without key players and captains Tabitha Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga.
“Yes, it is a big blow, but we have players who have been training as part of the wider squad. This is a chance for them to show that they can deliver,” he said.
Fazili has maintained the core of 23 players who featured at the COSAFA Women’s Championship earlier this year.
He added that his side will adopt a patient and composed approach, focusing on observation before transitioning into attacking play.
Australia coach Joe Montemurro said his team did not feature established stars, but rather players yet to earn national team caps.
“It is a very important learning process for us, for the group and for individual players. We are taking this as a stepping stone,” Montemurro said.
This will be the first time Australia faces an African side since meeting Zambia at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Australia, runners-up in the March 2026 Asian Cup, will use the tournament as preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, scheduled for 24 June to 25 July.
Meanwhile, Malawi will use the tournament to prepare for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, set for 26 July to 16 August.
The opening match of the 2026 FIFA Series will see hosts Kenya face India at the same venue.
Similar FIFA Series tournaments will also be held in Brazil (Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso), Côte d’Ivoire (Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan), and Thailand (Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium), featuring teams from different confederations.
According to FIFA, the tournament is designed to bring together teams with diverse competitive profiles, ranging from established international sides to emerging nations.
