- FIFA has announced a decision to merge the international breaks in September and October into one extended window
- Clubs will now have a single three-week break instead of two separate pauses previously used in the outgoing format
- The new schedule from the football governing body is aimed at streamlining games and easing disruptions for clubs
FIFA has officially confirmed a major restructuring of the men’s international football calendar for the 2026 to 2030 cycle.
The world governing body has merged the traditional September and October international breaks into a single extended window, altering how clubs and national teams plan their seasons.
Source: Getty Images
Previously, there were two separate breaks, one beginning in early September and another in mid-October, with each country playing a maximum of two matches per window.
Presently, Nigeria faces Lesotho and the Benin Republic in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers, less than three weeks after playing Rwanda and South Africa.
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According to The NY Times, starting in 2026, both international windows will be combined into one continuous period, from the final week of September to early October.
Countries will now be allowed to play up to four matches within that single break.
The change, approved during a FIFA Council meeting in March 2023, aims to reduce interruptions for domestic leagues while keeping international fixtures intact.
Clubs across the top European leagues will now experience a single three-week break from September 21, providing greater continuity from the first half of the season.
Clubs to benefit from fewer international breaks
For years, clubs have complained about the early-season football disruptions with international matches, especially when players return fatigued or injured.
While the number of international matches remains the same, the new structure will shorten the international window, reducing the overall downtime.
Under the current system, leagues pause twice in September and October for about two weeks.
According to Tribuna, the new format merges both into one three-week period, freeing up additional space for club competitions and rest periods.
For the Premier League and other top European divisions, the final set of fixtures before the break will take place over the weekend of September 19-20, 2026.
Club football will then resume three weeks later on the weekend of October 10-11.
This means there will be no international break in October 2026, a significant shift from the traditional calendar.
The November window remains unchanged, with national teams set to play two matches between November 9 and 17.
Source: Getty Images
New FIFA window’s impact on football season
The new international window will also reshape major tournaments and competition schedules.
For European countries, the first use of this extended break will host the opening four matches of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League.
Beyond national team football, the adjustment will influence the Champions League and other continental club tournaments.
UEFA has already indicated that the expanded Champions League group stages will start earlier than usual, between September 8 and 10, to align with the revised calendar.
FIFA explained that the changes were made after listening to clubs and leagues concerned about early-season disruptions.
Meanwhile, Nigeria are set to face Lesotho on October 10 in a must-win game, with their place at the 2026 World Cup in the balance.
Similarly, South Africa and Benin would be aiming to defeat Zimbabwe and Rwanda, respectively, as the race comes down to the wire.
With only two rounds left, five of the six teams in CAF’s World Cup qualifier Group C could potentially join Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt in North America.
FIFA president makes important announcement
Legit.ng also reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had made a fresh announcement after South Africa was sanctioned in the World Cup qualifiers.
Days after the ruling against Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player, FIFA confirmed the countries that would co-host the 2027 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
