FIFA Updates National Team Match Calendar, Impacting Champions League Schedule

Traditionally, autumn has three international match windows, each lasting two weeks in September, October, and November. Starting next year, FIFA will change this, which some may not like.

From 2026 until at least 2030, there will only be two autumn international match windows. However, this does not mean fewer games for national teams.

National teams will still play six autumn matches, but the September and October windows will be combined. In 2026, this combined window will take place from September 21 to October 6, featuring four international matches.

In Europe, these dates will include the first four group-stage matches of the UEFA Nations League, while other confederations will hold various tournaments during this time.

This change will affect the club calendar, which UEFA has already approved for the 2026-2027 season. The first round of the Champions League will happen on September 8-10, and the second round will be a month later, on October 13-14. The Conference League will start even later, on October 15.

The other international match windows will remain the same. November will continue to have its own window, as will March and the summer, depending on scheduled international tournaments.