Last week in international soccer saw some surprising results as Georgia qualified for its first European Championship, Brazil’s Vinicius Jr spoke out against racist abuse, and Ukraine reached the Euro 2024 finals against the odds. Despite these high-profile matches, one that may have gone under the radar was Sri Lanka’s victory over Bhutan. Ranked 204th in the world, Sri Lanka secured its first win in two-and-a-half years with a 2-0 scoreline, described by local media as a “famous win” and the country’s “finest moment” in soccer.
In another match in Saudi Arabia, Brunei (ranked 194th) bounced back from a defeat to beat Vanuatu (170th) in a thrilling 3-2 victory. Andorra (164th) held South Africa (58th) to a draw in Algeria, while Tanzania defeated Mongolia 3-0 in Azerbaijan. These matches were part of the pilot phase of the FIFA Series, aimed at giving teams from different confederations the opportunity to play against each other. While successful soccer nations participated, the project was particularly appealing to smaller nations without many qualifying matches and limited opportunities to play teams of similar levels.
The FIFA Series pilot phase showcased a diverse group of 24 nations competing in friendly matches hosted in five countries. Papua New Guinea coach Warren Moon praised the initiative, believing it can benefit countries like PNG that rarely have the chance to play against other nations. FIFA plans to hold future editions of the FIFA Series during each March international match window of even years, joining other initiatives to increase the amount of soccer being played globally, such as the proposed World Cup every two years.
While there have been concerns about the strain on players with additional games and tournaments like the Nations League, new competitions offer teams the chance to test themselves against unfamiliar opponents and learn and improve. For countries without a rich soccer culture and with little exposure to international matches, the FIFA Series could be a valuable avenue for development. The tournament provides an opportunity for smaller nations to gain experience and potentially qualify for major tournaments like the World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s victory over Bhutan, with goals from Dillon de Silva and Oliver Kelaart, marked a significant moment for a country known more for its cricket team. The match, played in front of a home crowd at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo, will be remembered as a historic win for Sri Lankan soccer. While matches between powerhouse teams like Spain and Brazil may attract more attention globally, games like Sri Lanka vs. Bhutan and Algeria vs. Bolivia provide valuable experiences for players and coaches, helping to grow the sport and improve the level of play in lesser-known soccer nations.
