What is the 2026/2027 international football schedule? Read here for upcoming international tournaments, key fixtures, and this year’s international breaks.
The international football schedule can seem confusing. There are qualifiers overlapping with preparations for upcoming tournaments, plus the complications that are brought about with the Nations League.
So, it’s useful to have the full international football schedule planned out, so fans know what they can watch and when – and when to place a football bet! Of course, the schedules differ slightly for each nation depending on their confederation, but this is the general lay of the land!
A run through of the 2026/2027 international football calendar
Most months of the year contain some form of international football. The conclusion of the European club season is one exception, with no international matches scheduled between March and June.
Below, we’ve mapped out the calendar, with a run-through of the details for each tournament further down.
June 2026
FIFA World Cup
Hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 edition of the World Cup welcomes 48 nations from around the world. The group stage takes place from 11th June – 27th June, while the knockout rounds kick off on the 28th June.
July 2026
FIFA World Cup
The round of 32 stretches across the end of June and the beginning of July. World Cup knockout rounds are scheduled only a couple of days apart until the final on 19th June in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
September 2026
UEFA Nations League
The latest edition of the UEFA Nations League kicks off on 24th September. The Netherlands hosting Germany is one of the standout fixtures.
October 2026
UEFA Nations League
In the same international break – spreading into October – teams also play their third and fourth round of Nations League matches. England face Croatia on 3rd October and host Czech Republic three days later. Elsewhere, Wales welcome Erling Haaland’s Norway and Italy make the trip to take on France.
November 2026
UEFA Nations League
Between 9th and 17th November, teams play their final fixtures in the Nations League. England host Croatia and make the difficult trip to Spain on matchday six. Italy feature in two of the break’s most enticing fixtures as they take on Belgium and France.
January 2027
AFC Asian Cup
The 2027 Asian Cup kicks off in Saudi Arabia on 7th January. 20 of the 24 competing teams are confirmed with Qatar aiming to defend their title. The final is scheduled for 5th February.
March 2027
UEFA Nations League
Euro 2028 qualifying
March brings the UEFA Nations League playoffs. A draw will decide who teams face as they battle for promotion/relegation in the Nations League. Meanwhile, other countries will begin their journey in Euro 2028 qualifying – the draw for qualifying groups will take place in Belfast on 6th December 2026.
June 2027
Concacaf Gold Cup
FIFA Women’s World Cup
Euro 2028 qualifying
Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup from 24th June to 25th July. No teams, other than hosts Brazil, have been confirmed at the time of writing.
Men’s Euro 2028 qualifying continues, while the Gold Cup will take place across June and July (dates yet to be confirmed).
July 2027
Concacaf Gold Cup
FIFA Women’s World Cup
The remainder of the Women’s World Cup group stage and the knockout rounds take place in July 2027. At least part of the Gold Cup will be played in July, depending on scheduling.
September 2027
Euro 2028 qualifying
The next European club season is underway by this point. The first international break of the campaign sees teams take another step towards Euro 2028.
October 2027
Euro 2028 qualifying
Teams might have already qualified for the Euros by this stage. Top nations like England, Spain, and France could be looking to experiment with their squads in preparation for next summer’s tournament.
November 2027
Euro 2028 qualifying
The final round of Euro 2028 qualifying matches takes place in November 2027. Drama is always likely with teams battling it out for automatic qualification and playoff places.
The key international football tournaments
The international football calendar is primarily structured around the major tournaments. These are the competitions that attract the most fan interest.
World Cup
Joining the list of World Cup winners is the pinnacle for all footballing nations. Teams from every confederation compete in qualifiers in the years leading up to the World Cup with the hope of earning a place in the next edition.
The tournament has expanded to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament. There is an initial group stage followed by a single-match knockout phase.
Nations competing: Open to teams from all over the world who qualify for the competition.
Next tournament: 2026
Frequency: Every 4 years
Euros
Featuring many of the world’s powerhouses, including France, Germany, and Spain, the Euros are the most high-profile continental tournament in world football.
Spain are defending champions after defeating England in the final in 2024.
Nations competing: All nations competing under UEFA
Next tournament: 2028
Frequency: Every 4 years
UEFA Nations League
Devised to grant greater meaning to matches outside of tournament play, the UEFA Nations League takes place across a league phase over several months and a playoff round.
Champions in the inaugural competition, as well as in 2024-25, Portugal are the most successful team in Nations League history. The fifth edition of the Nations League kicks off in September 2026, with the final scheduled for March 2028.
Nations competing: All nations competing under UEFA
Next tournament: September 2026-March 2028
Frequency: Every 2 years
AFCON
The Africa Cup of Nations is open to all CAF countries. The competition takes place midway through the European league seasons and is played every two years, compared with every four years for continental tournaments in Europe, South America, and Asia.
Egypt are the most successful AFCON team of all-time with seven titles, while Senegal are defending champions.
Nations competing: Open to all CAF nations
Next tournament: 2027
Frequency: Every 2 years
Copa America
The Copa America is open to every South American nation. There have been a few guest appearances, with Mexico, the United States, and multiple other CONCACAF teams taking part in the 2024 tournament.
Home to fierce rivalries and many of the world’s best players, the Copa America is immensely popular with football bettors. The time difference can prove challenging, however, with most matches taking place late at night in the UK.
Nations competing: Open to all CONMEBOL nations and occasional guest competitors
Next tournament: 2028
Frequency: Every 4 years
Concacaf Gold Cup
Along with AFCON, CONCACAF’s Gold Cup is one of two continental tournaments held every two years. The Gold Cup features the best teams from North and Central America. Mexico and the U.S. have combined to win all but one of the previous 18 Gold Cups.
Behind the U.S. and Mexico, Panama and Honduras are tied for the most semi-final appearances at six apiece. Nine nations have reached a Gold Cup final.
Nations competing: Open to all CONCACAF nations – North and Central America
Next tournament: 2027
Frequency: Every 2 years
Asian Cup
The Asian Cup is held every four years in January and/or February. Japan are the most successful team in the competition’s history with four titles, while Saudi Arabia and South Korea have won three apiece.
In 2019, the tournament expanded to 24 teams. It has gone from strength to strength in recent years with the influx of cash in Asian football.
Nations competing: Open to all members of AFC
Next tournament: 2027
Frequency: Every 4 years
