The Premier League will observe a record 16-day international break this season after FIFA combined the September and October international windows into one extended period running from September 21 to October 6.
Premier League fixtures will continue through Matchweek 5 on September 20 before the league goes into recess, with Matchweek 6 scheduled to resume on October 10.
The extended international window will see European countries compete in UEFA Nations League matches, while African nations will play two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures each.
Teams from the CONCACAF region will participate in Nations League group-stage matches and friendlies.
The United States and Mexico, who have already qualified for the quarter-finals, will also feature in friendly matches.
In Asia, countries will use the window for friendly matches as they prepare for the Asian Cup scheduled for January 2027, following the completion of Asian Cup qualifying. Several South American nations are also expected to play friendlies during the period.
According to information on the Premier League website, the new arrangement replaces the previous schedule of four nine-day international windows held in September, October, November and March, with two matches played by each country during each window.
The Premier League said, “September and October breaks have been merged into one 16-day period, during which countries will play four matches rather than the standard two.”
Explaining the reason for the change, the league said, “With many players in Europe representing countries in Africa and South America, the idea behind the new calendar is to reduce the number of separate periods in which players fly across continents.
“It will also reduce disruption by cutting the number of breaks between the start of the season and the end of the year from three to two,” the Premier League said.
The FIFA Council unanimously approved the changes in 2023, with player welfare among the factors considered in adopting the new international calendar.
The Premier League noted that the break could feel longer for clubs because players returning from national-team duty do not resume league action until the following weekend.
“The breaks tend to feel more like two weeks – or three weeks in the case of the new longer window – as players return to clubs and do not play until the following weekend,” the league said.
The next international window will be held from November 9 to 17, between Matchweeks 10 and 11.
European nations will continue their Nations League campaigns, while African countries will play two more AFCON qualifying matches.
The final international break of the Premier League season is scheduled for March 22 to 30, falling between Matchweeks 30 and 31.
During the March window, some countries will begin their Euro 2028 qualifying campaigns, while UEFA Nations League knockout matches, including League A quarter-finals and League A, B and C playoffs, will also take place.
AFCON qualification will continue during the period, alongside the CONCACAF Nations League final, while Asian and South American countries are expected to play friendlies.
The Premier League said the international-break system was established in 2002 and was first used in preparation for qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
It explained that FIFA subsequently introduced fixed periods in which clubs were required to release players for international duty as the number of national-team fixtures increased.
The league also pointed out that major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and continental competitions, can be staged during FIFA windows even when they take place outside the Premier League season.
“When the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) fell between December and January last season, clubs had to release players in a specific window for the tournament, though the Premier League did not take a break,” it said.
Although there have been discussions about further reducing the number of international breaks, the current arrangement is expected to remain in place until at least 2030.
The Premier League also stated, “Premier League matches are also not held on a Monday night ahead of an international break or on a Friday night after the break.”
