Why EFL matches get postponed for international call-ups

When players are selected for international matches, League One and League Two football matches in England can be postponed. The English Football League (EFL) permits clubs to postpone fixtures if they receive a certain number of call-ups from international teams. At least three players must be named for a senior, under-21, under-20 or under-19 national side to request a postponement. Players on international standby or long lists, however, do not count towards this threshold.

Only players who have been named in the starting lineup or substitute bench and made an appearance prior to the 75th minute in at least 50% of a club's first-team games or in four of the last five first-team matches are eligible. If a player is signed in late August or during the January transfer window and subsequently called up, a pro rata basis is applied to determine their availability.

A team may also request a postponement if both the first-choice and second-choice goalkeepers receive international call-ups. Players signed on loan are also included in the three-player requirement. As per FIFA's guidelines, selected players must be released by their clubs by Monday morning before the first international fixture of the window.

For clubs seeking to postpone a home match, they must submit their request at least five days before the game they wish to reschedule. Away teams have a seven-day notice period.