FIFA Announce Major Change to International Breaks Impacting All Premier League Clubs

FIFA has confirmed a major calendar shake-up that’ll impact the international breaks for all Premier League sides from next year.

The September international break is always met with groans of displeasure after just three league games of the Premier League season.

Liverpool currently lead the way with nine points following wins over Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal to kick off their title defence.

London trio Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham complete the top four, but fans of every side have to wait another week before they can watch their team in action again.

However, this year will mark the final time the September international break will be played in its current format.

How will international break change affect the Premier League?

While at present, two games are played during the traditional September and October breaks, from next year both will be merged into one 16-day window.

This will allow for four fixtures to be played across the two-week window, rather than the usual two across both breaks.

Liverpool fans are waiting patiently to see Isak in action

FIFA’s change means this is the final time Premier League players join up with their respective national teams at the start of September, instead running from September 21st to October 6th allowing for an extra two games to be played at the start of the season.

However, the current November and March nine-day international breaks will remain in place, which will result in the usual two matches to take place across both domestic hiatuses.

FIFA believes that the revised schedule will reduce fixture congestion as they look to ease the minimise disruption that comes from having four international breaks per year.

England maintained 100% qualifying record

England faced Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday evening and maintained their 100% start to World Cup 2026 qualifying as a Christian Garcia own goal and a second half Declan Rice header saw the Three Lions ease to a 2-0 win.

One of those who impressed against Andorra was Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who made his debut in the victory.

Elliot Anderson impressed on his England debut (Credit:Getty)

Head coach Thomas Tuchel singled Anderson out for praise following the Villa Park success, saying after the game: “He’s just a very, very good football player.

“He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels.

“He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see.”

Tuchel praise for Three Lions

While England were far from convincing against Andorra, Tuchel was pleased with his side’s performance, adding: “We’re getting there. It was a lot of learning for me.

“International football is so different from club football. But we are getting there, I’m very positive about the group that was in camp now and how they presented themselves, how they behaved, how they trained and how we played today.

“I am absolutely convinced that we are on the right path. It’s always on us to prove it.”

The Three Lions face arguably their toughest qualifying test in midweek, however, as they take on fellow Group K powerhouse Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday night.

Victory against Serbia will see England all but book their place at football’s showpiece event next summer.