When Are The International Breaks?
International breaks can be frustrating for fans of club football, but they are a necessary evil in the context of the wider football world.
The highlight of 2026 will be the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but there is plenty for fans to enjoy in the football calendar before the tournament gets underway.
We take a look at the upcoming FIFA International Match Calendar (details updated October 7, 2025).
When are the 2025 international breaks?
The final international breaks of 2025 take place in October and November. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is ongoing in several regions.
FIFA has announced the World Cup host cities and stadiums in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup run from March to November 2025. Play-off games are also scheduled for March 2026.
Here are the remaining international breaks for the 2025 calendar year:
- October 6-14, 2025
- November 10-18, 2025
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
The European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup started in March 2025 and end with the play-offs in March 2026.
Teams were drawn into 12 groups of four or five. The 12 group winners qualify for the World Cup, and play-offs determine the four remaining spots.
The 12 group runners-up will participate in the play-offs, along with the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who did not finish first or second in their World Cup qualifying group.
Nations League 2024/25
The 2024/25 Nations League commenced with a league phase that ran from September to November 2024.
The League A quarter-finals and League A/B and B/C play-offs were held in March 2025, while the Nations League Finals took place in June. Portugal won the title.
The League C/D play-offs are scheduled to be played in March 2026.
CONCACAF Gold Cup
The United States and Canada hosted the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Mexico won the title.
The biennial tournament determines the champion international team of the North American, Central American and Caribbean region.
It served as a test event for venues which have also been selected to host the 2026 World Cup the following summer.
Club World Cup
The 2025 Club World Cup was held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. Chelsea won the title.
It was the first to be played under an expanded format with 32 teams and was widely criticised for increasing the workload for top players.
The competition was used to ensure selected venues are on track to host the 2026 World Cup.
Africa Cup of Nations 2025
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be staged in Morocco between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.
While this is not recognised as an international break, the tournament will disrupt numerous club competitions worldwide.
The expansion of the Champions League and Club World Cup has further complicated matters, leaving many clubs critical of the demands placed on players.
When are the 2026 international breaks?
The dates for international breaks up to the 2026 World Cup are as follows:
- March 23-31, 2026
- June 1-9, 2026
The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11, 2026, and concludes in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. The match schedule is as follows:
The remaining international breaks in 2026 are as follows:
- September 21 – October 6, 2026
- November 9-17, 2026
When are the 2027 international breaks?
- March 22-30, 2027
- June7-15, 2027
- September 20 – October 5, 2027
- November 8-16, 2027
When are the 2028 international breaks?
- March 20-28, 2028
- May 29 – June 6, 2028
- September 18 – October 3, 2028
- November 13-21, 2028
When are the 2029 international breaks?
- March 19-27, 2029
- June 4-12, 2029
- September 24 – October 9, 2029
- November 12-20, 2029
When are the 2030 international breaks?
- March 18-26, 2030
- June 3-11, 2030
- September 23 – October 8, 2030
- November 11-19, 2030
