The first international break of the football season will be longer than usual, stretching from September 21 to October 9. This adjustment allows European teams to play four matches in the Nations League group stage, effectively combining the traditional October break with the September window. The next international matches will take place in November, where teams will play twice over two weeks. For European sides, these matches will be the final two games of their Nations League group campaigns. This change was partly due to the delayed end of the 2022 World Cup, which finished on July 19. With player welfare a top priority, officials decided that having one extended break instead of two would help reduce the physical and mental strain of international travel. This is especially beneficial for players who must travel long distances between continents to represent their national teams, such as European-based players who play for South American or African national sides. Importantly, the number of matches scheduled for national teams between now and Christmas remains the same—six games in total. The new international calendar, approved by FIFA in March 2023, will stay in place until at least 2030, providing a more predictable schedule for clubs and players. England's first international match of the break will be against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26. Following that, England will face Czechia in Prague on Tuesday, September 29, and then Croatia at Wembley on Saturday, October 3. The Three Lions will conclude the break with a home game against Czechia on Tuesday, October 6. In November, England will play Croatia at home on the 12th and Spain away on the 15th. The top two teams in each group from League A will qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals, with semi-finals and a final to follow in the summer of 2027.