The Structure and Frequency of International Football Breaks

Spain secured victory in the most recent Uefa Nations League finals in 2023. The men’s international football season is segmented into five distinct breaks throughout the year, occurring in September, October, November, March, and June. Typically, an international break involves each country playing two matches, during which major domestic league competitions are paused. The arrangement for the three international breaks in September, October, and November has been consistent for decades. However, beginning in 2026, the September and October international windows are slated to merge into a single period accommodating four matches. The schedule for international breaks is determined so far in advance that the calendar has already been published through 2030. European nations engage in four types of matches during these international breaks, depending on the major tournaments approaching. These fixtures can be classified as Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Uefa European Championship qualifiers, Uefa Nations League fixtures, or friendly matches. The establishment of the Nations League in 2018, which features teams of comparable ranking competing in a group stage before the four winners of the top-level groups advance to a mini-finals competition, has not led to an increase in the number of international fixtures or breaks. Instead, Nations League matches have replaced some friendly games, ensuring that the total count of international matches on the annual calendar remains unchanged. The international football calendar is determined by the world governing body, Fifa, and is agreed upon by the six continental football associations—the AFC (Asia), Caf (Africa), Concacaf (North and Central America), Conmebol (South America), the OFC (Oceania), and Uefa (Europe)—as well as the European Club Association and the players’ union, Fifpro. Clubs are mandated to release their players to international teams when they are called up to a squad. A player is permitted up to four days away from club duties for each international fixture, extending to five days for matches played on a different continent. This means players typically train with their international teammates for approximately 10 days during these breaks. The frequency of international breaks, particularly the three that occur in consecutive autumn months, often draws criticism from fans of clubs competing in the world’s major domestic leagues. Nevertheless, national football associations in countries lower down the Fifa rankings frequently depend heavily on revenue from broadcast rights for matches played against other nations. This funding is vital for maintaining and developing football infrastructure in those countries. In recent years, greater attention has been directed towards the wellbeing and workload of elite footballers, many of whom are playing an unprecedented number of matches. However, while top-tier club competitions such as the Uefa Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup have undergone significant expansions, the number of international fixtures has largely remained constant.