Home of football statistics and historyClub football is set to take a back seat over the next few weeks as the first international break of the 2026/27 season takes centre stage.
There were previously four breaks during the campaign in September, October, November and March. Each country played two matches per window.
However, the September and October international breaks have been merged into a single international break running from September 21 to October 6. Countries will play four matches.
The changes were unanimously approved by the FIFA Council in 2023, with player welfare a factor in the decision. Read on as we look at what is on the agenda.
England bid to put World Cup heartbreak behind them
England’s semi-final defeat against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup this summer was the latest in a long line of failures in major tournaments.
The Three Lions will have gone 62 years without winning silverware when the 2028 European Championship is staged and it would be a brave move to back them to end their misery.
Thomas Tuchel’s side face some stern tests during the international break, starting with their Nations League opener against world champions Spain.
They are also scheduled to face Czechia twice either side of a trip to Croatia, and will do well to emerge from that run of games without any mishaps.
Tuchel failed to deliver what was expected of him during the World Cup, and needs to prove he is the right man to lead England into Euro 2028.
A poor run of results in the upcoming fixtures would crank up the pressure on the former Chelsea manager and it will be intriguing to see how England fare.
Germany set to embark on a new era under Klopp
Germany will start a new era during the upcoming international break as former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp takes charge for the first time.
Klopp is considering a significant expansion of the squad, taking advantage of rules that allow nations to make sweeping changes during the break.
Germany are scheduled to face Netherlands, Greece (twice) and Serbia in the Nations League, and Klopp may shake things up after the second fixture.
He is considering splitting the international break into two groups, with one group of players handling the first two matches and another being brought in for the final two.
Established stars such as Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry will be desperate to prove their worth under the new manager.
Finn Jeltsch, Said El Mala, Brajan Gruda and Nicolai Remberg are amongst a group of emerging talents who Klopp will want to assess.
AFCON qualifiers scheduled to get underway
Looking further afield, qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is scheduled to get underway during the upcoming international break.
CONCACAF teams will play a mixture of Nations League group stage games and friendlies. The United States and Mexico, who have already qualified for the quarter-finals, will play friendlies.
Asian nations will play friendlies in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup tournament in January 2027. Several South American sides are also scheduled to play friendlies.
European countries will continue in the Nations League in November, while international teams across the world will also be in action.
The final international break in March will feature the start Euro 2028 qualifying for some countries, alongside UEFA Nations League knockout matches.
AFCON qualification will continue apace, and the CONCACAF Nations League final will be staged. Asian and South American countries will play friendlies.
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