FIFA Revises International Match Calendar for National Teams: New Schedule for Better Coordination

Chas Pravdy - 08 September 2025 11:21

The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) has officially announced comprehensive updates to the schedule of international matches for national teams.

These changes aim to optimize tournament planning and prevent overlapping of key fixtures, thereby enhancing teams’ preparation periods.

Starting from the 2026/27 season, the traditional three international breaks will be reduced to two more concentrated periods.

The autumn break will now span from September 21 to October 6, totaling 16 days.

This adjustment minimizes scheduling gaps and allows teams to better organize training camps and matches.

The March and November international breaks will remain unchanged, while the summer window in May-June stays consistent with current planning.

These modifications are expected to facilitate better distribution of playing time and improve the overall quality of international competitions globally.

FIFA, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is the governing body of worldwide football, managing major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, youth, and junior championships, as well as the Club World Cup.

Previously, significant financial support was directed towards Russian football from FIFA and UEFA.

Additionally, Ukraine’s national team has recently dropped in the FIFA world rankings.

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