SOCCER
European federations challenge UEFA over four-game international breaks
National associations raised workload and resource concerns at a meeting in Berlin, according to AP.
European soccer federations have told UEFA they are unhappy with the longer four-game international window, raising concerns about player workload and the demands placed on smaller national associations.
Officials discussed the format at a closed meeting in Berlin on October 8, the Associated Press reported. The officials spoke anonymously because the debate was confidential.
The new 16-day block combines the previously separate September and October breaks. It reduces the number of interruptions to club seasons while asking national teams to manage four matches in one camp.
Concerns included the effect of injuries across multiple fixtures and the extra costs for travelling supporters. Coaches from smaller countries also faced stretched resources.
UEFA said it would gather views for a possible submission to FIFA. The four-game format remains part of FIFA’s international calendar through 2030, and no reversal has been announced.
The disagreement exposes a scheduling trade-off: fewer departures from clubs can still produce a more demanding single stretch for national teams. Next year’s corresponding European window is scheduled to include Euro 2028 qualifiers.
