Premier League Faces Disruption with FIFAs New International Break Plan

The Premier League 2025-26 season will pause four times due to FIFA’s revamped calendar. September and October breaks are merged, leaving two weekends without league action as England play four qualifiers. November and March will continue with two-match breaks. England need just one more win, likely against Latvia on October 14, to secure World Cup 2026 qualification.

When the 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off, fans will witness a very different schedule due to FIFA’s controversial revamp of international breaks. Instead of the usual four separate breaks, the September and October windows will be merged into one extended pause, forcing the Premier League to stop for two consecutive weekends. During this period, England will play four fixtures, marking a significant shift from the traditional two-match format.

The November and March breaks will remain unchanged, with one weekend each allocated for international duty. FIFA explained that the revised International Match Calendar aims to be “fit-for-purpose” by balancing club and country needs, ensuring player welfare, and providing opportunities for talent development across more nations. The changes will come into effect after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For Gareth Southgate’s men, the new structure coincides with their ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

England cruised past Serbia 5-0 in Belgrade, leaving them needing just one more win to confirm their place at the tournament. That chance arrives against Latvia on October 14. While the new setup is intended to streamline the calendar, the prospect of two weekends without Premier League football has already sparked debate among fans and stakeholders.