FIFA has changed the men’s international calendar for the 2026-2030 period by merging the September and October international breaks into one.
Currently, there are separate international windows beginning in the first full week of September and the second full week of October — the current window — with each nation playing a maximum of two matches in each.
From 2026 onwards, this will be condensed into one period which covers the final full week of September and early October, in which each nation can participate in a maximum of four matches. The change means that clubs across the Premier League and other top European leagues will have around three weeks without football from September 21.
FIFA has changed the men’s international calendar for the 2026-2030 period by merging the September and October international breaks into one.
Currently, there are separate international windows beginning in the first full week of September and the second full week of October —… pic.twitter.com/4rWesN0Tc2
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 6, 2025