FIFA has officially merged the September and October international windows into a single 16-day mega-break, according to a report from Foot Mercato on July 30, 2026. This unprecedented move is designed to accommodate the qualifying matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The merged window will run from September 7 to September 22, 2026, allowing national teams to play up to four matches during this period. This change aims to reduce travel fatigue and logistical challenges for African teams, who often face long journeys for qualifiers.
The 2027 AFCON qualifiers are scheduled to begin in September 2026, with the tournament itself set to take place in mid-2027. The decision to merge windows was confirmed by FIFA's calendar committee earlier this year, following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
This adjustment is part of broader efforts to streamline the international match calendar, which has faced criticism for overcrowding. The mega-break will also impact European clubs, who will lose players for an extended period during the early season.
