The Premier League is set to observe its longest international break since the league was established, with the traditional September and October FIFA windows combined into a single 16-day period this season.
The extended break will run from September 21 to October 6, after Matchweek 5 concludes on September 20. Premier League action will resume on October 10 with Matchweek 6.
The change follows a revision of the international football calendar approved by the FIFA Council in 2023, with player welfare and a reduction in international travel among the factors behind the decision.
During the extended window, European nations are scheduled to play UEFA Nations League matches, while African countries will continue their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations through two qualifying fixtures.
CONCACAF nations will feature in Nations League group-stage matches and international friendlies, while the United States and Mexico, already through to the quarter-finals, will play friendly matches.
In Asia, teams will use the period for friendly matches ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup in January, following the completion of the continent’s qualifying programme. Several South American countries are also expected to play friendlies.
According to the Premier League, the revised calendar is intended to reduce the number of occasions players, particularly those representing countries outside Europe, have to make long-distance international journeys during the season.
Previously, the Premier League campaign featured four nine-day international windows in September, October, November and March, with national teams generally playing two matches during each break.
Under the new arrangement, the September and October windows have been merged into one 16-day period, allowing national teams to play four matches instead of the usual two.
The Premier League said the adjustment would reduce the number of international breaks between the beginning of the season and the end of the year from three to two.
The league also noted that the impact of international breaks can extend beyond the official dates, as players often return to their clubs before featuring in another competitive fixture the following weekend.
The next international window after the extended September-October break will run from November 9 to 17, falling between Matchweeks 10 and 11.
During the November window, European teams will continue their Nations League campaigns, while African countries will play another two AFCON qualifying matches. The United States and Mexico will join other qualified teams in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals, while Asian and South American nations are expected to feature in friendlies.
The final international window of the Premier League season is scheduled for March 22 to 30, between Matchweeks 30 and 31.
That period will include the beginning of EURO 2028 qualifying for some countries, UEFA Nations League knockout fixtures and playoffs, further AFCON qualifying matches and the CONCACAF Nations League final.
Asian and South American teams are also expected to use the March window for friendly matches.
The Premier League explained that the international-break system was introduced in 2002 as part of FIFA’s International Match Calendar, which established designated periods when clubs were required to release players for national-team duty.
The system was introduced amid the growing number of international fixtures and was first used for qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The league added that major international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and continental competitions, can also fall within FIFA-designated windows, even when they take place during the Premier League’s off-season.
It cited the Africa Cup of Nations as an example, noting that when the tournament was held between December and January last season, clubs were required to release players during a designated period, although Premier League fixtures continued.
Although there have been discussions about further reducing the number of international breaks, the current calendar is expected to remain in place until at least 2030.
The Premier League also stated that matches are not scheduled for Monday nights immediately before an international break or Friday nights immediately after one, allowing players additional time to join their national teams and return to club duty.
