The 2026 World Cup may have only just finished, but the next FIFA international window is only weeks away.

JAMIE SQUIRE

Soccer

International soccer returns sooner than you think: these are the dates for the next national team games

Managing Editor AS USA

Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.

Update: Jul 23rd, 2026 10:10 EDT

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The 2026 World Cup only wrapped up on July 19, and we all need to take a deep breath after 104 intense games, Spain emerging as the nation to catch. But if you love your international action then fear not: it isn’t disappearing for long.

When do national teams play again?

Players will get a short break before returning to their clubs for the start of the new domestic seasons, but by late September they’ll be packing their bags again. That’s when FIFA’s next international window opens, and across the globe national teams will be back in action.

This year’s return looks a little different, though. Some confederations jump straight into meaningful competition, while others will use the opportunity to experiment with new faces and start building toward the next World Cup cycle.

Europe, North America and Africa get straight back to business

UEFA wastes no time.

European nations return for the opening four matchdays of the UEFA Nations League, scheduled between September 24 and October 6. That means Spain, England, France, Germany, Portugal, Italy and the rest of Europe’s heavyweights (yes Italy, I still see you in that group, at least by name) will all be playing competitive games almost immediately after the club season gets underway.

International soccer returns sooner than you think: these are the dates for the next national team games — Lamine Yamal and Lucas Digne will be back in action for their countries soon enough.SHAUN BOTTERILL

CONCACAF follows a similar path. The latest edition of the CONCACAF Nations League begins during the same FIFA window, with teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean resuming competitive action after the World Cup.

Africa also has plenty on the line. The next international break marks the beginning of qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, giving many of the continent’s biggest nations meaningful games rather than friendlies.

Friendlies for South America and Asia

It’s a different story in South America.

With no World Cup qualifying or continental competition scheduled for that first FIFA window, CONMEBOL nations are expected to arrange friendly games instead. It will be the first chance to see how countries such as Argentina and Brazil begin planning for life after the World Cup and, eventually, the road to 2030.

The same applies across much of Asia. Many AFC members are also expected to use the window for friendlies as coaches assess new talent and start preparing for the next major tournaments.

How long is the FIFA international break?

The September-October window is also a little longer than fans may remember. Under FIFA’s updated international match calendar, it combines what used to be separate September and October windows into a single 16-day release period, allowing national teams to play as many as four matches.

When is the USMNT and Mexico playing next?

For the United States and Mexico, the first post-World Cup games have not yet been announced.

Both teams are expected to use the September-October window for friendlies after earning direct entry to the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, which will be played home and away between November 9 and 17. So their next opponents remain unknown for now, but neither side should have to wait until November to get back on the field.

So while the World Cup may feel like it has only just ended – it really did, by the way – international soccer is closer than it seems. By the end of September, the familiar sight of players swapping club jerseys for national colors will already be back. And Spain will have a new target on their back to go with that new star on their front.