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International Match Calendar

Balancing the Interests of Clubs and National Teams The International Match Calendar makes the release of national team players compulsory for clubs on the dates it highlights.
International Match Calendar

The International Match Calendar (IMC) decides when clubs must release their players for national team duty. These dates are agreed across world football and shape when international matches are played.

EFC worked with FIFA, UEFA and other stakeholders to deliver a fairer calendar. From the 2026/27 season, international travel will be reduced, with the September and October national team windows merged into one longer window. This means we have more double header and triple header windows in which national teams play two or three games in a single period.  

Most importantly, any change to the calendar during the agreed period now needs EFC’s approval. That means clubs — and the players they develop — remain central to international football decisions.  

How the IMC Is Currently Set Up 

  • Men’s International Match Calendar: 2025–2030.

  • Women’s International Match Calendar: 2026-2029.

 Men’s International Match Calendar 2025–2030 Release Windows 

  • March: Double header (nine days). 

  • June (of odd years): Double header (nine days). 

  • September/October: From 2026, one quadruple header (16 days). In 2025, two separate double headers (nine days each). 

  • November: Double header (nine days). 

 Women’s International Match Calendar 2026-2029 Release Windows 

  • February / March: triple header (12 days). 

  • April: triple header (12 days). 

  • June: double header (nine days). 

  • October: double header (nine days). 

  • November/December: triple header (12 days). 

  • Six international windows each year – up to 13 matches.  

  • Window length and match limits depend on qualification formats in each region.

Release Windows Explained 

  • Double header: Up to two matches in a nine-day period (Monday to the following Tuesday).

  • Triple header: Up to three matches in a 12-day period (Tuesday to Saturday night, of the following week). 

  • Quadruple header: Up to four matches in a 16-day period (Monday to the second Tuesday).

FIFA World Cup 2026 

  • World Cup final: 19 July 2026.

  • Mandatory player rest and release starts: 25 May 2026 (players in continental finals can play until 30 May).

  • Confederation finals usually run from early June to mid-July, with some African and Asian tournaments in January/February.

  • Release period for a final tournament begins 12 days before its opening match. 

  • Players return to their clubs after their last game in the tournament. 

  • Players usually take part in only one senior national team final tournament per year.

 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 

  • 24 June–25 July.

  • Type 1 window preceding the FWWC from the 7-15 June  — up to two matches.