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When are the next international breaks, then?
With World Cup 2026 just months away and the 48 qualified teams now confirmed, teams are now finalising their preparations for this summer's action in North America. And while there are no more international breaks until the end of the domestic season, FIFA's calendar is already packed out.
When is the next international break?
The next international break is scheduled for June 1-10, 2026 and acts as a final warm-up before the World Cup begins.
Thomas Tuchel's England squad play their final pre-tournament friendlies in the USA, taking on New Zealand in Tampa Bay before facing Costa Rica in Orlando.
The full list of international breaks up after World Cup 2026
When are the international breaks next season?
Once the 2026 World Cup is all over, it will be back to domestic football for the start of the 2026/27 season, but significant changes to the international calendar are coming.
That's because the usual two-week October international break is now a thing of the past, with the September break being extended.
This means that there will now be a three-week gap for international fixtures in September, with clubs playing four matches, rather than two. The existing breaks in November, March and June will remain.
This change has been made for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that the 2026 World Cup final will be later than usual, taking place on 19 July.
Travel considerations and player welfare have also been cited as reasons for FIFA making this tweak to their international calendar.
FAQs
What competitions will be played during the 2026/27 season?
In Europe, the 2026/27 international calendar will be dominated by the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, with the League phase being played in the September and November breaks, with the quarter-finals and play-offs taking place in March, before the finals in June. The Euro 2028 qualification campaign will also begin next season, with the first matches taking place in the March 2027 break and continuing in the June 2027 break, with teams again being able to qualify for the finals via the Nations League as a secondary route.
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 but some fixtures will be postponed if one of the teams involved has several players on international duty.
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