The Premier League is set to have its first 16-day international break this season after FIFA combined the traditional September and October windows.
The extended break will run from September 21 to October 6. Premier League clubs will complete Match Week 5 on September 20 before the league pauses.
League action will then return on October 10, when Match week 6 gets underway.
The longer break will allow national teams to play more fixtures in one window. European nations will feature in UEFA Nations League matches, while African countries will continue their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns.
Teams from the CONCACAF region will play Nations League matches and international friendlies. The United States and Mexico, who have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, are also scheduled to play friendlies during the window.
Asian nations will use the period to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup. Several South American countries will also play friendly matches.
The Premier League previously had four separate international breaks during the season. These took place in September, October, November and March, with countries usually playing two matches during each window.
However, FIFA has now merged the September and October breaks into one 16-day period. National teams can play up to four matches during the extended window.
The new calendar aims to reduce the number of times players travel long distances between Europe and other continents. The change could help limit repeated international travel for players representing countries in Africa and South America.
