The 2026/27 club football calendar has entered an unusual 16-day international break, but supporters will not be short of major fixtures to follow.
The Premier League has paused from September 21 to October 6, with domestic action scheduled to resume on October 10. During the extended window, national teams will compete in the UEFA Nations League, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, CONCACAF Nations League fixtures and international friendlies.
For Nigerian supporters, the break also provides an opportunity to follow the Super Eagles in their AFCON qualifying campaign, while several heavyweight European nations begin new chapters with new coaches.
Among the headline fixtures are Germany against the Netherlands, Portugal versus Wales, Côte d’Ivoire against Ghana and Türkiye versus France.
20 matches to watch
1. Netherlands vs Germany
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Jürgen Klopp begins his Germany tenure against the Netherlands, who also start a new era under Xavi Hernández.
2. Portugal vs Wales
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Portugal begin their Nations League campaign under Jorge Jesus, while Wales face one of Europe’s strongest national sides.
3. Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana
Date: Thursday, September 24
Competition: AFCON 2027 qualifier
Kick-off: 8:00pm WAT
The West African rivals renew their rivalry in one of the standout African fixtures of the break.
4. Türkiye vs France
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Zinédine Zidane takes charge of France in his first competitive match as coach, with Türkiye providing the opposition.
5. Italy vs Belgium
Date: Friday, September 25
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Roberto Mancini begins his second spell as Italy coach against Belgium, who are also starting a new era under Mark van Bommel.
6. England vs Spain
Date: Saturday, September 26
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Two of Europe’s heavyweight national teams meet in a fixture likely to attract significant attention during the break.
7. France vs Italy
Date: Monday, September 28
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Another heavyweight European encounter adds to a packed Nations League schedule.
8. Belgium vs France
Date: Monday, September 28
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Belgium face France in another major test during the international window.
9. Spain vs Croatia
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
Spain will take on an experienced Croatia side in another high-profile European clash.
10. Czechia vs England
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Competition: UEFA Nations League
Kick-off: 7:45pm WAT
England’s Nations League campaign continues away from home against Czechia.
The extended break is particularly unusual because the September and October international windows have been combined this season. Instead of the traditional two-match international window, national teams will play four matches during the 16-day period.
With club football temporarily on hold, the international fixtures offer players, coaches and supporters a different kind of football drama before the domestic leagues return in October.
