As the 2023/24 season of Europe's top football leagues gets underway, fans and pundits must watch for the international breaks that punctuate the club calendar. These breaks pause domestic league action and are pivotal moments for national teams to prove their mettle on the world stage. Here's a comprehensive guide to the upcoming international breaks in the 2023/24 season.
The first international break is right around the corner, starting after the summer transfer shuts on Friday, September 1. England, in particular, take on Ukraine on September 9 for a EURO Qualifier, followed by a special friendly against Scotland on September 12. The game at Hampden Park marks the 150th anniversary of the first official match between England and Scotland.
The second international break takes place in October, followed by the last international break of the year starting mid-November.
Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League group stages occur in and around the 2023 international break dates.
Major tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup, African Cup of Nations, Euros, and CONCACAF Copa America, begin in the new year. The AFC Asian Cup takes place in Qatar, the African Cup in Ivory Coast, Germany hosts the Euro 2024 tournament, and the United States hosts the Copa America.
These international break dates are crucial for your soccer-watching calendar if you're a fan of the Bundesliga, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, or any other top European league. So feel free to print this out, screenshot it, and mark it down.
Key dates for international breaks and major tournaments in the 2023/24 football season
| Year | Break or Tournament Duration | Games or Events |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | September 4 – 12 | UEFA European Championship Qualifiers & International Friendlies |
| 2023 | October 9 – 17 | UEFA European Championship Qualifiers & International Friendlies |
| 2023 | November 13 – 21 | UEFA European Championship Qualifiers |
| 2024 | January 12 – February 10 | AFC Asian Cup 2023 |
| 2024 | January 13 – February 11 | Africa Cup of Nations 2023 |
| 2024 | March 18 – 26 | UEFA European Championship Qualifiers |
| 2024 | June 14 – July 14 | UEFA European Championships 2024 |
| 2024 | June 20 – July 14 | 2024 Copa América |
Photo: Instagram/azzurri
