Top fixtures to follow in the Sept-Oct 16-day international window, led by England v Spain
A run of high-profile international fixtures — including England v Spain — takes place during the 16-day FIFA window from September 21 to October 6, 2026, with Nations League ties and friendlies on the schedule.
The 2026-27 season pauses for a combined September-October international break under a new FIFA calendar that merges the two windows into a single 16-day stretch. That change allows national teams to play up to four matches rather than the usual two, delaying the return of club football while providing extended preparation time for international sides.
Portugal, the defending Nations League winners, visit Wales to open their campaign under Jorge Jesus, who succeeded Roberto Martínez. Jesus arrives having taken charge ahead of the window and is expected to continue Portugal’s dominance in the competition this international break.
Brazil will meet India in a friendly during the international period, a fixture described as drawing special attention in India because it pits the hosts against five-time World Cup winners. The meeting is presented as the first time in a long time India will face a football powerhouse.
Zinédine Zidane’s first competitive match as France’s coach comes away at Turkey; Zidane is the former France captain and Real Madrid coach and returns to the international limelight in charge of the side he won the 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 with as a player. Elsewhere, Jürgen Klopp is set to make his debut for Germany against the Netherlands, who will be led by former Barcelona star Xavi Hernández, a fixture framed as a meeting of two high-profile managers beginning their first Nations League campaigns with their respective sides.
Mexico and Colombia will meet in a South American-CONCACAF friendly that both federations intend to use to evaluate individuals and pairings ahead of future contests. Spain will face Croatia in a key European clash, an encounter noted for the competitive history between the two sides and described in the preview as one with an intense rivalry.
Turkey and Italy play a Nations League A match as both teams begin their Nations League campaigns, with Mancini returning after previously guiding Italy to triumph at EURO 2020 in his first term and looking to win on his return. Belgium are starting a new chapter under former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel; their Nations League meeting with France gives Van Bommel an early opportunity to test his team while offering France another early look at Zidane’s preparations. England and Spain meet in what the preview calls one of the most important games of the opening Nations League round, with Spain identified as the defending European champions.
The international window runs from September 21 to October 6, 2026, and several of the fixtures listed will serve as opening matches for participating teams’ Nations League campaigns, providing extended match opportunities across the 16-day period.