2026 programme — The 2026 programme for national teams presents a thrilling array of competitive challenges across seven different squads. The Men’s National Team, Women’s National Team, Futsal Team, U21 National Team, U19 National Team, U19 Women’s Team, and the U17 National Team are all gearing up for significant matches and ambitious goals. Each squad faces unique hurdles as they strive for success in their respective competitions.
026 programme: Men’s National Team: Aiming for League Progression
The Men’s National Team is set to embark on a demanding schedule in 2026, featuring ten matches in total, with six of those being part of the new Nations League. Competing in League C, Cyprus will find out its opponents during the draw scheduled for 12 February 2026. The first four fixtures will take place from 24 September to 6 October, followed by two more matches between 12 and 17 November. Beyond the official matches, the team will also engage in four friendly games, aiming to fine-tune their tactics and squad cohesion ahead of the competitive fixtures.
Women’s National Team: World Cup Aspirations
In 2026, the Women’s National Team will compete in the 5th group of the 3rd qualifying round for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The schedule includes four crucial matches:
- Saturday, 7 March: Cyprus vs Romania
- Tuesday, 14 April: Moldova vs Cyprus
- Saturday, 18 April: Romania vs Cyprus
- Tuesday, 9 June: Cyprus vs Moldova
Additionally, a friendly against the Faroe Islands is slated for 2 March in Cyprus, providing an opportunity for the squad to build momentum ahead of the qualification campaign.
Futsal Team: Aiming for the Main Round
The Futsal Team will be competing in the Preliminary Round of the 2028 Futsal World Cup, set for April. Cyprus has been drawn into the 5th group, where they will face Latvia, San Marino, and Albania. The top two teams from this group will advance to the Main Round, which is the primary aim for the squad. The host country and the full match schedule will be announced in January, adding to the anticipation.
U21 National Team: European Championship Challenges
The U21 National Team will complete its fixtures in the first qualifying group for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Their official matches are as follows:
- Friday, 27 March: Cyprus vs Spain
- Wednesday, 31 March: Finland vs Cyprus
- Friday, 25 September: Cyprus vs Romania
- Wednesday, 30 September: Kosovo vs Cyprus
- Tuesday, 6 October: Cyprus vs San Marino
These matches are crucial for the U21s as they aim for a place in the next stage of the tournament.
U19 National Team: Competing at a Higher Level
The U19 National Team will face new challenges in 2026, competing in a restructured format where teams are divided into A and B categories based on their UEFA rankings. Cyprus will participate in the A category, following the previous success of the U17 team, which finished top of their group in the last phase. Cyprus has been drawn into the 1st group of the A category, facing Belgium, Slovenia, and Sweden. The matches will take place in Belgium from 25 to 31 March 2026, and the team’s performance will determine their future category for the autumn phase of the competition.
U19 Women’s Team: Pursuing Promotion
The U19 Women’s Team is set to compete in the B category of the second round of the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship. They are in the first group, with opponents Estonia, Slovenia, and San Marino. Matches are scheduled for 27 February, 2 March, and 5 March 2026 in San Marino. The top teams from each group, alongside the best second-placed team, will earn promotion to the A category for the next tournament in autumn 2026.
U17 National Team: Aiming for European Glory
In March, the U17 National Team will compete in the A category of the second phase of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2025-2026. Drawn in the 5th group, they will face Belgium, Serbia, and Switzerland, with matches taking place in Serbia on 25, 28, and 31 March 2026. Securing the top position in this group will lead them to the final stage of the tournament in Estonia in May 2026.
Moreover, for the 2026-2027 season, the U17 team will enter the 13th qualifying group of the European Championship, facing Romania and the Faroe Islands in matches scheduled in Cyprus on 27 October and 2 November 2026.
This comprehensive programme for 2026 presents a formidable landscape for all seven national teams, with each squad facing pivotal matches that could define their future trajectories. As the fixtures draw closer, fans will undoubtedly be eager to rally behind their teams in pursuit of national pride and international success.
