Football fans face an unusually long wait for the return of club football as the 2026/27 season makes way for a 16-day international break running from September 21 to October 6.
The extended FIFA window combines the traditional September and October international periods, allowing national teams to play as many as four matches instead of the usual two.
With domestic competitions across Europe temporarily suspended, the Premier League and other major leagues will hand the spotlight to international football, with England’s top flight scheduled to resume on October 10 following its September 20 fixtures.
However, the break will hardly leave football fans short of action.
The period will feature UEFA Nations League clashes, Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, CONCACAF Nations League matches and a series of international friendlies involving some of the biggest teams in world football.
For Nigerian supporters, the window will also provide an opportunity to follow the Super Eagles in their AFCON qualifying campaign while keeping an eye on major fixtures involving Europe’s leading nations and other international heavyweights.
Here are 20 matches to watch during the extended international break:
1. Netherlands vs Germany
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Germany begin a new Nations League campaign against the Netherlands in a heavyweight European encounter. The match also marks a new chapter for both teams, with Jürgen Klopp taking charge of Germany and former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández beginning his tenure with the Dutch side.
2. Portugal vs Wales
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Defending Nations League champions Portugal begin their campaign against Wales under new coach Jorge Jesus.
Jesus has taken over from Roberto Martínez and will look to maintain Portugal’s strong record in the competition.
3. Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: AFCON 2027 qualifier
Kick-off: 8:00pm WAT
Two of West Africa’s traditional football powers meet in a highly anticipated AFCON qualifying clash.
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana renew their rivalry in a fixture that will provide an early indication of their ambitions for the 2027 continental tournament.
4. Türkiye vs France
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Zinédine Zidane takes charge of France in a competitive match for the first time when Les Bleus travel to Türkiye.
The former France captain returns to the international spotlight as coach after previously enjoying major success with the national team 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.
Mancini previously guided Italy to EURO 2020 glory and will be hoping for a positive start to his return. 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 begin their AFCON qualifying campaign against Gabon as both nations look to make an early statement in the race for a place at the 2027 tournament.
7. Australia vs Brazil
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 11:00am WAT
Brazil face Australia in one of the notable friendlies of the international window.
The South American giants will use the fixture as part of their preparations under their new coaching setup, while Australia will relish the opportunity to face one of international football’s most decorated nations.
8. England vs Spain
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
England host Spain in one of the headline fixtures of the opening Nations League round.
The meeting brings together two of Europe’s leading national teams, with England facing a 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 between 2006 and 2012 and returns with extensive international experience.
10. USA vs Peru
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:30pm WAT
The United States take on Peru in one of the notable international friendlies outside the major Nations League and African qualifying fixtures.
The match offers both teams an opportunity to assess their squads and tactical options during the FIFA window.
11. Mexico vs Colombia
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Mexico and Colombia meet in another attractive international friendly.
Both nations will use the fixture to evaluate players and combinations as they continue preparations for their upcoming international commitments.
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.
The game will give Van Bommel an early opportunity to assess his Belgium side against one of Europe’s strongest teams, while France continue to develop under Zidane.
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.
The encounter gives Mancini another chance to assess his Italy team during his return to the international stage.
14. Spain vs Croatia
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Spain face Croatia in another heavyweight European fixture.
The game pits Spain’s recent success against Croatia’s considerable experience at the highest 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.
Following their opening fixture against Spain, the Three Lions will face another important test before the international window moves into October.
16. Argentina vs Bolivia
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
World champions Argentina will also be in action, facing Bolivia in an international friendly.
The match forms part of Argentina’s programme during the extended FIFA window.
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 both teams take advantage of the extended window to prepare for future competitions.
18. Argentina vs Burkina Faso
Date: Saturday, October 3
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Argentina continue their international schedule against Burkina Faso.
The encounter gives the world champions another opportunity to assess their squad during the unusually long FIFA window.
19. India vs Brazil
Date: Saturday, October 3
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 3:00pm WAT
Brazil face India in another high-profile friendly.
The fixture is expected to generate considerable interest in India, where facing the five-time World Cup winners represents a major international occasion.
20. Argentina vs Benin
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT
Argentina round off the extended international period with a meeting against Benin.
The fixture is also likely to attract attention surrounding Lionel Messi and his continued involvement with the Argentina national team.
When will club football return?
The international window officially closes on October 6, but supporters will have to wait several more days before domestic football resumes.
The Premier League returns on Saturday, October 10, with fixtures including Arsenal against Leeds United, Manchester United against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool against Manchester City.
For supporters accustomed to watching their clubs every weekend, the 16-day break will therefore represent a significant interruption.
But with major Nations League fixtures, AFCON qualifiers and international friendlies scheduled throughout the period, the football calendar remains packed.
For more than two weeks, the focus simply shifts from clubs to countries as national teams take centre stage before domestic football returns in October.
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