Weeks Without Club Football: The Reason Behind The September-October Break

Why there’s no club football for 3 weeks in September and October 2026

 

XL International Break 2026, Dates, fixtures, and leagues affected. No Premier League, LaLiga, Or Bundesliga for 3 weeks: here’s why.

Why football will pause for 3 weeks in September And October...

Between September 20th and October 10th, club football across much of the world will go quiet. The Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Turkish Super Lig, Eredivisie, Danish Superliga, South Africa’s Betway Premiership and more will all take an abrupt, extended break. Here’s why.

For more than two weeks, fans will have to do without their favourite clubs. Domestic leagues will largely be put on hold during an unusual, long pause.

FIFA’s New ‘XL International Break’

FIFA is introducing a new ‘XL International Break’ starting in 2026. From September 24th to October 6th, 2026, European and African national teams will be allowed to play up to 4 matches instead of the usual 2. The aim is to reduce the number of international windows from 3 to 2 per season.

The schedule is packed for some. World champions Spain will play four UEFA Nations League games in ten days against England, the Czech Republic, and Croatia twice. Morocco will have a lighter load with just two AFCON qualifiers, facing Gabon on September 23rd and Lesotho on September 27th.

Youth teams are also involved. The break will include three rounds of U21 Euro qualifiers and one round of U17 Euro qualifiers.

Spain are set for four Euro 2028 qualifiers during the September 26–October 6 window

Friendlies And Other Competitions

Teams from other continents will fill the gap with friendlies. Brazil play Australia twice in four days before heading to Kolkata to face India. Mexico have four friendlies lined up against Colombia, Peru, USA and Chile.

In CONCACAF, smaller nations will begin the first stage of the Nations League. Meanwhile, the eight teams from the Arabian Peninsula will compete in the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Which Leagues Are Affected

The break hits Europe hardest. But leagues in the US, South America and Mexico will continue as normal, MLS, Argentina’s Liga Profesional, Brazil’s Serie A and Mexico’s Liga MX are all unaffected.

There are exceptions outside Europe. Japan’s J-League and South Africa’s Premiership will also shut down for three weeks.

Arsenal face a full fixture pause between September 19th and October 10th

Some European competitions will still run during the window:

Dutch Eerste Divisie

English League One and League Two

Finnish Veikkausliga

Irish First Division