20 Matches to Watch During 16-Day International Break

Football fans face an extended wait before club football returns, with the 2026/27 season entering a 16-day international window running from September 21 to October 6.

The longer break comes under FIFA’s revised international calendar, which combines the traditional September and October windows into a single 16-day period. The adjustment allows national teams to play as many as four matches during the window, rather than the usual two.

As a result, domestic competitions across Europe and other major leagues will temporarily make way for international fixtures. The Premier League, for example, went into its break after the September 20 matches and is scheduled to resume on October 10.

However, the absence of club football does not mean a shortage of high-profile fixtures.

National teams from different continents will be involved in UEFA Nations League games, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, CONCACAF Nations League fixtures and a series of international friendlies.

While some countries will be battling for qualification, others will be looking to maintain their dominance, with several teams also using the window to assess new coaches, players and tactical approaches.

For Nigerian supporters, the international break provides an opportunity to follow the Super Eagles as they continue their AFCON qualifying campaign, while several major European and global football powers will also be in action.

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 will begin a new chapter under Jürgen Klopp when they face the Netherlands, who will also start a new era with former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández in charge.

The encounter therefore carries added significance, with two prominent coaches taking charge of their respective teams for the first time in the Nations League.

2. Portugal vs Wales
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT

Reigning Nations League champions Portugal begin their title defence 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 when they host Wales.

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 rivals will meet when Côte d’Ivoire take on Ghana in an AFCON 2027 qualifying fixture.

The clash adds one of Africa’s most anticipated rivalries to an already busy opening stretch of international football.

Read Also: FIFA Revokes Iran’s Ticket Allocation For All Group Matches

4. Türkiye vs France
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT

France begin their competitive campaign under Zinédine Zidane with an away trip to Türkiye.

The former France captain and Real Madrid coach returns to the international stage as a manager after helping his country win the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 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 stint as Italy coach against Belgium.

Mancini guided Italy to EURO 2020 during his first spell and will hope for a winning start to his return.

Belgium, meanwhile, embark on a new era under former Netherlands international 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 sides look to make an early statement.

The encounter is one of several notable African fixtures scheduled during the international window.

7. Australia vs Brazil
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 11:00am WAT

Brazil continue their preparations under a new coaching setup when they take on Australia in an international friendly.

The match will also give Australian supporters the chance to watch one of the most decorated teams in international football.

8. England vs Spain
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT

England face 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 another major examination 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 era under returning coach Slaven Bilić when they travel to face Czechia.

Bilić previously managed Croatia between 2006 and 2012 and returns with extensive experience at both international and club level.

10. USA vs Peru
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:30pm WAT

The United States will face Peru in one of the notable international friendlies outside the UEFA and African competitions.

The game gives both teams an opportunity to assess their squads during the extended FIFA window.

11. Mexico vs Colombia
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT

Mexico will take on Colombia in another meeting between two prominent teams from the CONCACAF and South American regions.

Both sides are expected to use the fixture to examine players and combinations ahead of future competitions.

12. Belgium vs France
Date: Monday, September 28
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT

Belgium face France in another high-profile Nations League fixture.

The game will provide Van Bommel with an early test of his team against one of Europe’s leading sides, while France will have another opportunity to put Zidane’s ideas into practice.

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 encounter as both nations continue their Nations League campaigns.

The fixture will also give Mancini further time to assess his Italy team following his return to the national side.

14. Spain vs Croatia
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT

Spain take on Croatia in another meeting involving two established names in European international football.

Spain’s pedigree and Croatia’s experience at the highest level make the fixture one to watch during the second half of the international window.

15. Czechia vs England
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT

England continue their Nations League campaign with an away fixture against Czechia.

Having already faced Spain, England will have another opportunity to test themselves during the unusually long international period.

16. Argentina vs Bolivia
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT

World champions Argentina will face Bolivia in an international friendly during the extended FIFA window.

The fixture forms part of Argentina’s programme of matches during the international period.

17. Japan vs Ecuador
Date: Thursday, October 1
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 11:10am WAT

Japan and Ecuador will meet in another friendly involving teams using the FIFA window to prepare for future international competitions.

The fixture gives both nations an opportunity to assess their squads and tactical options.

18. Argentina vs Burkina Faso
Date: Saturday, October 3
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT

Argentina continue their international schedule when they face Burkina Faso.

The match provides another opportunity for the South American giants to evaluate their squad during the extended international window.

19. India vs Brazil
Date: Saturday, October 3
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 3:00pm WAT

Brazil will take on India in another international friendly during the break.

The fixture is expected to attract significant attention in India, with the opportunity to face five-time World Cup winners Brazil providing a major occasion for the hosts.

20. Argentina vs Benin
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Competition: International friendly
Kick-off: 9:00pm WAT

Argentina’s clash with Benin will be one of the final fixtures of the extended international window.

The game is also likely to attract attention because of the possibility of Lionel Messi featuring in what could be one of his final appearances for Argentina.

When does club football return?

Although the international window officially closes on Tuesday, October 6, supporters will have to wait several more days before domestic competitions resume.

The Premier League returns on Saturday, October 10, with fixtures including Arsenal vs Leeds, Manchester United vs Tottenham and Liverpool vs Manchester City.

For fans used to seeing their clubs in action every weekend, the September 21 to October 6 international window will therefore create an unusually long break from domestic football.