The major FIFA decision that will see Birmingham City & West Brom go three weeks with no football next season
FIFA are set to introduce a major change that will impact Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.
If the recent September international break felt like a long time without club football, you best get used to it as that’s nothing compared to what’s set to come next season.
From 2026 onwards, September international breaks are getting longer in a move which will remove the October international break from the calendar. Following discussions with stakeholders and confederations, FIFA believes it’s the best course of action to combine the two breaks into one longer interval.
As relayed by the BBC, there are a host of reasons why FIFA have made this change. The 2026 World Cup final taking place at the latest date since 1966 is one key factor, and as is player welfare. Travel considerations have had an influence, too, as one less international break means players will have fewer journeys between continents.
This is particularly the case for those who hail from a different continent from where they play their club football. For example, South Americans playing in the Premier League must travel from England to the other side of the world. The same can be said for players from Asia and Oceania, while it’s not exactly a short trip for those from Africa and North America.
Birmingham and West Brom to feel FIFA change
West Midlands sides Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion will be impacted by said change. Although Blues currently have eight senior international players and West Brom have seven, the rest of their squads will face a challenge keeping match fit throughout such a long period without competitive action.
That said, the change will actually have a positive impact on the season as a whole. Despite the September break getting longer, the disappearance of the October international fixtures means there will actually be one week fewer in the domestic season that is lost.
Normally, there are two separate two-week intervals in both September and October. From next year, the September break will last three weeks to incorporate all four international fixtures per country. One week extra to focus on the domestic season might not seem like a lot, but it will make a difference.
Two more international breaks to come
As FIFA’s adjustments to the schedule won’t come into effect until next season, Birmingham, West Brom - and any other club in the top two tiers, for that matter - must prepare for two more international breaks before the end of 2025.
It may feel a little excessive after only just coming to the end of the September interval, but more are to come in both October and November, lasting two weeks each. This allows nations to fulfil their World Cup qualification fixtures in time for the draw in Washington DC on December 5.
As it stands, Birmingham and West Brom have four more matches each until the two-week October break gets underway. Then, before the November break, which also lasts a fortnight, Blues and Albion will play six times in the space of three weeks.