Football fans face an unusually long wait for European club football as the 2026/27 season pauses for an extended international window from September 21 to October 6.
The revamped calendar combines the traditional September and October international windows, allowing national teams to play up to four matches during the period.
While the Premier League and other domestic competitions take a break, international football will dominate the calendar with UEFA Nations League matches, 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and a series of high-profile friendlies.
For Nigerian fans, the Super Eagles’ AFCON qualifying campaign will also be a major attraction.
Here are 20 matches to watch during the extended international window.
1. Netherlands vs Germany
September 24 — UEFA Nations League
Jürgen Klopp begins his Germany tenure away to the Netherlands, who are starting a new era under Xavi Hernández.
2. Portugal vs Wales
September 24 — UEFA Nations League
Portugal begin their Nations League campaign against Wales as League A action gets underway.
3. Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana
September 24 — AFCON 2027 qualifier
Two West African heavyweights meet in one of the headline fixtures of the opening African qualifying round.
4. Türkiye vs France
September 25 — UEFA Nations League
Zinédine Zidane takes charge of France for the first time competitively when Les Bleus visit Türkiye.
5. Italy vs Belgium
September 25 — UEFA Nations League
Roberto Mancini begins his second spell as Italy coach against Belgium, who are also starting a new era under Mark van Bommel.
6. Morocco vs Gabon
September 25 — AFCON 2027 qualifier
Morocco host Gabon in another major fixture from the opening round of African qualifying.
7. Australia vs Brazil
September 25 — International friendly
Brazil begin their post-World Cup programme against Australia in Townsville. The teams will meet again four days later.
8. England vs Spain
September 26 — UEFA Nations League
England host Spain at Wembley in one of the biggest matches of the opening Nations League round.
9. Czechia vs Croatia
September 26 — UEFA Nations League
Croatia begin another chapter under returning coach Slaven Bilić away to Czechia.
10. USA vs Peru
September 26 — International friendly
The United States and Peru meet as both sides use the extended window for international preparation.
11. Mexico vs Colombia
September 26 — International friendly
Mexico and Colombia clash in another notable meeting involving two prominent teams from the Americas.
12. Belgium vs France
September 28 — UEFA Nations League
Belgium host France as Zidane continues his first competitive campaign with Les Bleus.
13. Türkiye vs Italy
September 28 — UEFA Nations League
Türkiye and Italy meet in another League A encounter during the busy opening phase.
14. Spain vs Croatia
September 29 — UEFA Nations League
Spain host Croatia in another major Group A3 fixture.
15. Czechia vs England
September 29 — UEFA Nations League
England travel to Prague for their second Nations League match of the window.
16. Argentina vs Bolivia
September 30 — International friendly
Argentina continue their international programme against Bolivia in Córdoba.
17. Japan vs Ecuador
October 1 — International friendly
Japan and Ecuador meet as both nations continue preparations for future competitions.
18. Argentina vs Burkina Faso
October 3 — International friendly
Argentina face Burkina Faso in another friendly during the extended window.
19. India vs Brazil
October 3 — International friendly
Brazil face India in Kolkata after their two-game series against Australia.
20. Argentina vs Benin
October 6 — International friendly
Argentina close the extended window against Benin, with the match expected to mark Lionel Messi’s farewell appearance for the national team.
When does club football return?
The international window ends on October 6, but Premier League football returns on October 10.
Arsenal will host Leeds United in the opening fixture of the weekend, while Manchester United welcome Tottenham Hotspur later that day.
Liverpool will then host Manchester City on Sunday, October 11.
Until then, the focus shifts from clubs to countries, with Nations League battles, AFCON qualifiers and international friendlies providing the main football action.
