FIFA have confirmed changes to the international break schedule that will come into effect next year
Eddie Howe during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe won't have quite as many international breaks to negotiate next season.
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
This September marks the final international break in its current format before FIFA introduces new measures next year.
Newcastle United and Sunderland, along with their Premier League and Championship counterparts, have taken a two-week hiatus to allow their players to represent their nations.
For some, the September international window arrives too swiftly, and additional breaks in October and November disrupt the domestic season again.
FIFA has revised the plan for the future, meaning there will only be three international windows per season following next year's World Cup.
As reported by CoventryLive, the governing body has opted to merge the September and October international windows into one extended period where international football takes precedence over club football.
This will be the last occasion players team up with their countries at the start of September, with the new measures being implemented next year.
A lengthier, 16-day international window will run from 21 September to 6 October 2026, allowing up to four fixtures for each nation.
This will be followed by the customary nine-day, two-match windows in November and March to ensure that countries play the same number of matches while minimising disruption to club football.
Newcastle go into the current international break having picked up two points from their opening three games of the season. Their last outing saw them draw 0-0 with newly promoted Leeds United at Elland Road.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have had a positive start to the campaign back in the Premier League. The Black Cats have won two of their first three games, coming out as 2-1 victors over Brentford before the international break.
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