Why is the international break longer than usual?, tell me about this news in (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/videos/cvgy13l5q8do)

The international break is longer than usual because FIFA restructured the Men’s International Match Calendar to merge what used to be two separate breaks into a single, extended window.

Why the Break Is Longer

• A Merged 16-Day Window: Previously, the autumn calendar featured two separate nine-day breaksone in September and another in Octobereach allowing national teams to play up to two matches. Starting in 2026, FIFA combined those two periods into a single 16-day window running from late September into early October.

• Same Number of Games, Fewer Trips: National teams can now play up to four matches in this consolidated window rather than two per break. While the total number of fixtures remains the same, players only depart for national duty once during this period rather than traveling back and forth across continents twice in consecutive months.

• Reducing Club Disruption & Travel Fatigue: A primary reason for the change, approved by the FIFA Council in 2023, was player welfare and schedule continuity. Consolidating the breaks cuts down on long-haul flights (especially for South American, African, and Asian players based in Europe) and reduces mid-season stoppages for domestic leagues from three between August and November down to two (the merged September/October window and the standard November window).

What Matches Are Being Played

During this 16-day window:

• Europe (UEFA): Teams contest the opening four matchdays of the UEFA Nations League.

• Africa (CAF): Nations play rounds of qualifying matches for the Africa Cup of Nations.

• North & Central America (CONCACAF): Teams take part in Concacaf Nations League group matches and international friendlies.

• South America & Asia (CONMEBOL / AFC): Nations use the extended time for training camps and international friendlies.

Club competitions pause for roughly three full weeks (including the weekends around the release period) before resuming once the 16-day window concludes.