The upcoming Unity Cup has received official FIFA Tier 1 status, further boosting the profile of the international tournament set to take place next week at The Valley in south-east London.

This year’s competition will feature four national teams — Nigeria, Jamaica, India and Zimbabwe — competing in a series of matches scheduled between May 26 and May 30 at Charlton Athletic’s historic stadium.

The tournament will begin with Nigeria taking on Zimbabwe in the first semi-final on Tuesday, May 26, before Jamaica face India in the second semi-final on Wednesday, May 27.

The competition will conclude on Saturday, May 30, with both the third-place playoff and the final taking place on the same day.

Organisers described the FIFA Tier 1 recognition as a major milestone for the Unity Cup, noting that all matches in the tournament will now carry full international status in line with FIFA regulations.

The designation is also expected to increase the tournament’s global visibility while strengthening its role in promoting football, culture and diaspora unity in London.

The Unity Cup has continued to grow in prominence in recent years, providing participating nations with valuable competitive matches while celebrating multicultural communities through sport.