Barcelona and Real Madrid unite against FIFA’s new three-week international break

Barcelona and Real Madrid have criticised FIFA’s decision to combine the September and October international windows into one three-week break during the 2026-27 season.

The new schedule will see club football suspended while national teams take centre stage for almost three consecutive weeks. The change, one of several innovations introduced by FIFA, has attracted opposition from both Spanish giants.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona president Joan Laporta strongly criticised the revised calendar during the club’s general assembly. His concerns were heightened by recent experience, with Raphinha missing last season’s Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid after suffering an injury while playing in a friendly for Brazil.

“This break makes no sense,” Laporta said. “Hansi told me that the other day. It includes four matches, it harms us and it disrupts our rhythm. The calendar is too crowded and the players are suffering. We will speak to UEFA and FIFA to try to resolve this issue.”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has also expressed concern, despite overseeing the best start to a season in the club’s history with eight wins from eight competitive matches.

“Many players will be away with their national teams,” Flick said before the match against Sevilla. “Of course, whenever players are abroad, we are a little concerned, but in the end I trust and also believe in the national-team coaches.”

Real Madrid, who have continued to face questions over their level during the past two years, have likewise rejected the new international-break format.

“We can only adapt,” Jose Mourinho said before the Madrid derby. “In our case, imagine having only four players left for 20 days. Then one arrives a day or three days before the match against Villarreal, another four days before and another two days before.

“Vini is coming from India with Brazil, while Valverde is coming from Korea and India, travelling around the world to get here. The Europeans will have four difficult matches because we are talking about the Nations League, and everyone is at the same level.”

Mixed reaction across Europe

The criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s decision has not been limited to clubs. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente also objected after naming his squad for the first four UEFA Nations League matches.

“I don’t like it, and I preferred the previous format,” he said. “Between the matches we have only two days’ rest, including travelling and journeys. I believe the other format protected the players’ health more. It is as clear as the sun.”

Elsewhere, the response has been more measured, with several managers preferring to assess the experiment once the international period is over.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “This is something we will have to try. As you have seen, different national teams and coaches have used different approaches regarding the number of players they have selected, so good communication with them will be absolutely crucial.”

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca responded humorously: “My children have school, so I need to stay here. During international breaks I have always reviewed previous matches and analysed what we can improve. There are three weeks, so I have enough time to watch all the matches again.”

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique said his side had to accept the length of the break and would continue working with the players who remained in Paris, including through individual training.

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany said he hoped all his players would return without problems and maintain their fitness during the extended period. If they did, he added, Bayern would be in a strong position for the season.