Key Takeaways:
- FIFA has unveiled a major revision to the international football calendar effective from the 2026/2027 season
- The traditional September and October international breaks will be combined into a single, extended window from 21 September to 6 October in 2026
- National teams will play four matches during this autumn break and two further matches in the November window, scheduled from 9 November to 17 November
Autumn Break Consolidation from 2026
The world football governing body, FIFA, has confirmed an overhaul of the regular international breaks in the football calendar, due to take effect from the 2026/2027 season. Under the current arrangement, national teams gather in early September; however, from 2026 onwards, this September window will be merged with October, creating a single, longer period for international fixtures.
🗓️ This is the last international window played in the 1st week of September.
From 2026 onwards, international windows in September and October will merge into one.
From 21 Sep to 6 Oct 2026, national teams will play 4 matches each, instead of playing 2 in September and 2 in… pic.twitter.com/dfdLoaZ5Vl
— Football Meets Data (@fmeetsdata) September 5, 2025
Revised Schedule for National Team Fixtures
For the autumn of 2026, the initial break for international teams will span from 21 September to 6 October, effectively suspending all club-level football for three weeks. Throughout this extended window, each national team will compete in four matches, rather than the current structure of two matches in September and another pair in October.
| Season | Autumn International Break | Duration | Number of Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/2026 and earlier | September and October | Short windows | 2 in September, 2 in October |
| 2026/2027 and onwards | 21 September – 6 October | 3 weeks | 4 matches total |
Continuation of November International Window
The second autumn international break will continue to take place as a separate fixture window in November. National teams will again face two matches each during this period, running from 9 November to 17 November.
