When are the international breaks this season?

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The international breaks are already decided up until the 2026 World Cup

When are the international breaks this season? Thomas Tuchel looks on during England's win over Albania in March 2025, his first match in charge of the Three Lions.
England are back in action this autumn (Image credit: Getty Images)
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When are the next international breaks, then?

With World Cup 2026 now firmly in our sights and the race on to reach the tournament in North America, it's never too long until the next domestic break, with international football commencing four times a season.

Here at FourFourTwo, we've compiled the complete footballing calendar to allow you to see exactly when internationals are underway, as the wait continues for the return of the greatest show on Earth…

When is the next international break?

England boss Thomas Tuchel has laid down the law

Thomas Tuchel is still aiming to qualify for the World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

The next international break is scheduled for the weekend of September 1-9 2025.

Thomas Tuchel's England squad will be playing home to Andorra at Villa Park on September 6, before heading away to Serbia three days later, as their quest to qualify from UEFA's qualifying Group K for the World Cup.

The full list of international breaks up until World Cup 2026

England Nations League squad LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Players of England pose for a team photo prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Finland at Wembley Stadium on September 10, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

England kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying bid in March (Image credit: Getty Images)

When are the international breaks this season?

There are three international breaks between the start of the season and Christmas, as the Premier League breaks in September, October and November for international football.

Qualification for the World Cup will be played over these periods, with the Premier League only breaking for one weekend at a time.

International football then takes a backseat for four months between November and March, as qualification for North America is wrapped up in the springtime – this is when new kits for the tournament should be released, too.

World Cup qualification play-offs are scheduled for March 2026, with teams that have already qualified getting the luxury of friendlies during this period.

The 2025/26 footballing calendar

Here, you will find a full list of fixtures across competitions with FourFourTwo's interactive calendar.

Click on the legend to isolate World Cup qualification.

FAQs

What is an international break?

An international break is a gap in the domestic footballing calendar – usually just consisting of a single weekend – in which club football pauses to allow countries to play.

Why are there so many international breaks?

Given that there is a lot of international football to be played, there are regular breaks across the season for international managers to call up players based on how they're performing at club level. Qualification for an international tournament is undertaken during these breaks throughout the season – as is UEFA's Nations League competition, which has been running since 2018.

Can players opt out of international breaks?

Yes, players can always opt out of international football – but most will jump at the chance to represent their nation at any given opportunity. Plenty, however, choose to withdraw from international squads in order to nurse injuries that they've sustained prior to callups, in order to maintain their fitness.

Which leagues pause for an international break?

In England, only the Premier League and Championship stop for the international break. League One and League Two both continue during the international break.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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