Football lovers will have to wait a little longer to see their favourite clubs back in action as the 2026/27 season takes a 16-day international break from September 21 to October 6.
The extended break is part of a new FIFA international calendar which has merged the traditional September and October windows into one 16-day period, allowing national teams to play up to four matches instead of the usual two.
The change means domestic football across Europe and other major leagues will temporarily give way to international action, with the Premier League, for instance, pausing after its September 20 fixtures before resuming on October 10.
But while club football takes a back seat, there will be no shortage of action for football fans.
National teams across the continents will be busy, with UEFA Nations League matches, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, CONCACAF Nations League games and international friendlies all scheduled during the extended window.
Some teams will be chasing qualification, others will be defending titles, while several nations will use the opportunity to test new coaches, players and tactics.
For Nigerian football fans, the break will also provide an opportunity to follow the Super Eagles in their AFCON qualifying campaign, alongside some of the biggest fixtures involving European and world football’s leading nations.
In this Monday report, PUNCH Online curates 20 matches to watch during the 16-day international break.
1. Netherlands vs Germany
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
One of the biggest matches of the opening day will see Jürgen Klopp make his Germany debut against the Netherlands, who will also begin a new era under former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández.
It is therefore not just a heavyweight international fixture but also a meeting of two high-profile coaches beginning their first Nations League campaigns with their new teams.
2. Portugal vs Wales
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
The defending Nations League champions Portugal begin their campaign under veteran coach Jorge Jesus when they host Wales.
Jesus has replaced Roberto Martínez and will be expected to build on Portugal’s success in the competition.
3. Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: AFCON 2027 qualifier
Kick-off: 8:00pm WAT
West African rivals Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana will renew one of the region’s biggest football rivalries in an AFCON qualifying clash.
The fixture gives fans another reason to follow African football during the break as both nations begin their journey towards the 2027 tournament.
4. Türkiye vs France
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Zinédine Zidane’s first competitive match as France coach comes away to Türkiye.
The former France captain and Real Madrid coach returns to the international spotlight in charge of a team with which he won the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 as a player.
5. Italy vs Belgium
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Roberto Mancini begins his second spell as Italy coach against Belgium.
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Mancini led Italy to EURO 2020 glory during his first spell and will now attempt to start his return with victory.
Belgium, meanwhile, begin a new era under former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel.
6. Morocco vs Gabon
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: AFCON 2027 qualifier
Kick-off: 8:00pm WAT
Morocco will be among the African teams looking to make a strong start to their AFCON qualifying campaign when they face Gabon.
The fixture adds another major African contest to a busy opening week of international football.
7. Australia vs Brazil
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 11:00am WAT
Brazil will begin a series of international friendlies against Australia as the South American giants continue preparations under their new coaching setup.
The meeting also offers Australian fans the chance to see one of international football’s traditional powerhouses.
8. England vs Spain
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
England and Spain meet in one of the biggest games of the opening Nations League round.
The fixture brings together two of Europe’s leading national teams and gives England another major test against the reigning European champions.
9. Czechia vs Croatia
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Croatia begin another chapter under returning coach Slaven Bilić when they travel to face Czechia.
Bilić previously coached Croatia from 2006 to 2012 and returns with considerable international and club-management experience.
10. USA vs Peru
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:30pm WAT
The United States will use the international window to test themselves against Peru in one of the notable friendlies outside the UEFA and African competitions.
11. Mexico vs Colombia
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Mexico and Colombia will also meet in a South American-CONCACAF heavyweight friendly.
Both teams will be looking to use the international window to assess players and combinations ahead of their respective future competitions.
12. Belgium vs France
Date: Monday, September 28
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Belgium face France in another major Nations League encounter, giving Van Bommel an early opportunity to test his side against one of Europe’s strongest teams.
For France, the match will provide another early examination of Zidane’s plans.
13. Türkiye vs Italy
Date: Monday, September 28
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Türkiye and Italy meet in another League A clash as the two sides continue their Nations League campaigns.
The fixture also gives Mancini another opportunity to assess his returning Italy side.
14. Spain vs Croatia
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Spain face Croatia in another major European encounter.
The game should attract attention given Spain’s pedigree and Croatia’s experience at the top level of international football.
15. Czechia vs England
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
England continue their Nations League campaign away to Czechia.
After facing Spain in their opening fixture, the match gives England another test during the unusually long international window.
16. Argentina vs Bolivia
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Argentina will also be in action during the extended window, with Bolivia providing the opposition in a friendly.
The match will be part of a series of fixtures for the world champions during the international period.
17. Japan vs Ecuador
Date: Thursday, October 1
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 11:10am WAT
Japan and Ecuador meet in another international friendly as teams outside the main qualifying competitions make use of the FIFA window to prepare for upcoming tournaments.
18. Argentina vs Burkina Faso
Date: Saturday, October 3
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Argentina continue their international programme against Burkina Faso.
The fixture will be another opportunity for the South American giants to assess their squad during the extended FIFA window.
19. India vs Brazil
Date: Saturday, October 3
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 3:00pm WAT
Brazil will face India in another high-profile friendly during the international break.
The meeting will attract particular attention in India, where a match against five-time World Cup winners Brazil represents a major occasion.
20. Argentina vs Benin
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Argentina’s meeting with Benin will bring the extended international window towards its conclusion.
The fixture is also among the matches attracting attention because of the possibility of Lionel Messi featuring in what could be one of his final appearances for the national team.
When does club football return?
The international window officially ends on Tuesday, October 6, but football fans will have to wait a few more days for domestic action to resume.
In the Premier League, the next round of matches begins on Saturday, October 10, including Arsenal vs Leeds, Manchester United vs Tottenham and Liverpool vs Manchester City.
So, for supporters accustomed to watching their clubs every weekend, the September 21-October 6 period represents an unusually long wait.
But the break will not mean a shortage of football.
For 16 days, the attention shifts from clubs to countries, with qualification battles, Nations League contests and international friendlies providing the entertainment until domestic football returns.
