FIFA has introduced a major change to the men’s international football calendar, with the traditional September and October international breaks now being combined into one extended window.
The new arrangement will take effect from the 2026/27 season, with the first extended international window scheduled for September 21 to October 6, 2026. During the 16-day window, national teams will be allowed to play up to four matches, rather than having two separate breaks for September and October.
The change means football fans will see a longer interruption to domestic league action, with the Premier League and other major European competitions facing a roughly three-week gap between club fixtures.
FIFA approved the revised calendar as part of its 2026–2030 international match schedule. The organisation said the new structure would provide greater clarity to the international calendar while allowing national teams to play meaningful matches and recognising player welfare.
What will the new FIFA calendar look like?
Under the revised schedule, the September and October windows will be replaced by one extended break. The remaining international windows will continue in November, March and June, with those windows generally providing two matches each.
The 2026/27 calendar is therefore expected to feature:
September 21–October 6: Up to four international matches
November 9–17: Up to two matches
March 22–30: Up to two matches
June 7–15: Up to two matches
The reform is particularly significant for clubs and players, as it reduces the number of separate international interruptions while creating one much longer break early in the season.
For national teams, however, the extended window provides an opportunity to complete more fixtures during a single release period, potentially reducing the need for repeated international travel. The new system will be closely watched as the 2026/27 season gets underway, with clubs, managers and players adapting to FIFA’s latest international calendar.
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