FIFA International Match Calendar 2023 to 2030

The FIFA International Match Calendar (IMC) is the official global schedule that regulates when national teams can play matches, balancing club football with international competitions. Covering both men’s and women’s football, the 2023–2030 calendar is designed to ensure fairness, reduce scheduling conflicts, and provide consistency for players, clubs, federations, and fans.

This article breaks down the men’s and women’s FIFA calendars from 2023 to 2030, highlighting international windows, major tournaments, and why this calendar matters.

Men’s International Match Calendar (2023–2030)

FIFA has introduced a standardized format for international match windows, running from 2025 until 2030.

Match Windows for Men’s Football

• March: 9-day window for 2 matches

• June: 9-day window for 2 matches (friendlies or tournament prep)

• September/October: From 2026, a 16-day window for 4 matches; in 2025, this remains as two separate 9-day, 2-match windows

• November: 9-day window for 2 matches

Check FIFA Men’s World Rankings

Key Dates and Tournaments

2025

• 1–9 September: 2 matches

• 6–14 October: 2 matches

• 10–18 November: 2 matches

2026

• 23–31 March: 2 matches

• 1–9 June: 2 matches (World Cup prep)

• 11 June – 19 July: FIFA World Cup 2026

• 21 Sept – 6 Oct: 4 matches

• 9–17 November: 2 matches

2027

• 22–30 March: 2 matches

• 7–15 June: 2 matches

• June–July: CONCACAF Gold Cup

• 20 Sept – 5 Oct: 4 matches

• 8–16 November: 2 matches

2028

• 20–28 March: 2 matches

• 29 May – 6 June: 2 matches

• June–July: OFC Nations Cup, Copa América, UEFA Euro 2028

• 18 Sept – 3 Oct: 4 matches

• 13–21 November: 2 matches

2029

• 19–27 March: 2 matches

• 4–12 June: 2 matches

• June–July: CONCACAF Gold Cup

• 24 Sept – 9 Oct: 4 matches

• 12–20 November: 2 matches

2030

• 18–26 March: 2 matches

• 3–11 June: 2 matches

• 8 June – 21 July: FIFA World Cup 2030

• 23 Sept – 8 Oct: 4 matches

• 11–19 November: 2 matches

Download Men’s PDF Calendar

Men’s International Match Calendar 2023–2030

Women’s International Match Calendar (2025–2029)

The women’s game has its own structured calendar, featuring international windows and major competitions like the Women’s World Cup, Olympic Football Tournament, and continental championships.

Sample Windows & Events

• 2025:

  • UEFA Women’s Euro (2–27 July)

  • Copa América Femenina (5–26 July)

  • OFC Women’s Nations Cup (4–19 July)

  • October & November international windows

• 2026:

  • AFC Women’s Asian Cup (March)

  • Match windows in Feb/March, April, June, October, November

• 2027:

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup (24 June – 25 July)

  • Other regular match windows in March, April, June, October, November

• 2028:

  • Women’s Olympic Football Tournament (10–30 July)

  • Additional Type I and II match windows across Feb–Dec

• 2029:

  • Continental championship finals mid-year

  • Qualifier windows in Feb, April, June, October, November

Download Women’s PDF Calendar

Women’s International Match Calendar 2026–2029

Why the FIFA Match Calendar Matters

1. Balances Club & Country
   Clubs and national teams often clash over player availability. The IMC ensures both get designated time.

2. Supports Player Welfare
   By fixing international windows, FIFA helps reduce player overload and ensures rest periods.

3. Tournament Planning
   Confederations (UEFA, CAF, CONCACAF, etc.) can align their qualifiers and tournaments around these dates.

4. Predictability for Fans
   Fans worldwide can anticipate when their national teams play and plan travel around tournaments.

Criticism & Challenges

While the IMC provides structure, some European leagues and player unions have criticized the system for fixture congestion and limited recovery time for top players. In fact, certain player unions (like the PFA) have joined legal challenges against FIFA’s expansion of competitions.

The FIFA International Match Calendar 2023–2030 lays out a structured roadmap for the global game, from qualifiers to the World Cup and continental tournaments. For fans, it’s a guide to when the world’s biggest matches will take place. For clubs and players, it’s a delicate balance between national pride and professional responsibility.

With the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups already marked as the biggest highlights, the coming years promise a packed yet thrilling era of international football.