FIFA has confirmed that from 2026 the traditional September and October international windows will be combined into a single extended break, altering the global football calendar for the four-year cycle until 2030.
The change will see one continuous international period introduced early in the season, lasting up to 16 days.
During that time, national teams will be permitted to play a maximum of four matches.
As a result, the October window will disappear entirely, while the November break will remain untouched.
The decision marks a significant shift in scheduling and comes after years of debate surrounding the frequency of international interruptions to domestic leagues.
Clubs have long expressed concern that multiple breaks in the early months of the campaign place additional strain on players, contributing to fatigue and injury risks.
FIFA believes that consolidating the September and October fixtures into a single period will reduce disruption and provide greater clarity in the calendar.
While the September break has historically been followed closely by another in October, critics argued that the short turnaround between the two windows heightened the workload for players.
Managers at both club and international level have voiced frustration, with travel demands, congested schedules and limited recovery time often cited as ongoing challenges.
Under the new structure, players will join their national squads for an uninterrupted 16-day window, offering coaching staff more time to work with their teams while easing the constant back-and-forth between domestic and international duty.
By allowing four matches within this period, FIFA aims to ensure that qualification campaigns and friendlies can be completed efficiently without requiring a separate October gathering.
However, the adjustment is not without its critics. Some observers fear that a longer international break at the start of the season could disrupt domestic momentum and pose challenges for league organisers in maintaining competitive flow.
Others argue that while the calendar will feature fewer interruptions, the extended absence of players may still prove problematic for clubs, particularly those heavily reliant on internationals.
Supporters of the move suggest the consolidation could, in fact, offer long-term benefits. By reducing the number of times players must travel during the season, the new format may ease physical strain and limit the risk of injury.
National teams are also expected to welcome the change, as extended preparation time will allow for improved tactical cohesion.
FIFA’s decision applies to the 2026–2030 international cycle, meaning there will be no October international break throughout this period.
The November window, meanwhile, will remain unchanged, continuing in its familiar format of a shorter break allowing for two matches.
The restructuring reflects FIFA’s ongoing attempts to balance the demands of the international game with the pressures facing domestic competitions.
Whether the reform delivers the intended relief for players and clubs remains to be seen, but the disappearance of the October break from 2026 marks one of the most notable shifts in football’s modern calendar.
