{
  "id": 7721643,
  "title": "EPL to have first-ever 16-day international break from September 21",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/epl-to-have-first-ever-16-day-international-break-from-september-21-7721643",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T06:00:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/epl-to-have-first-ever-16-day-international-break-from-september-21/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Premier League will introduce its first-ever 16-day international break this season, running from September 21 to October 6, according to a FIFA decision merged the traditional September and October international windows. This change aims to reduce the number of separate periods players must fly across continents, as well as cut disruption between the start of the season and the end of the year. During the extended break, European nations will play UEFA Nations League fixtures, African nations will compete in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while CONCACAF teams will participate in a mix of Nations League group-stage games and friendlies. Asian nations will play friendlies ahead of the Asian Cup in January 2027, and several South American countries will also play friendlies. The Premier League's current international-break system, introduced in 2002, will remain in place until at least 2030.",
  "summary": "The Premier League will have its first-ever 16-day international break from September 21, merging the September and October windows into one extended perio Read More: https://punchng.com/epl-to-have-first-ever-16-day-international-break-from-september-21/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "EPL to have first-ever 16-day international break from September 21",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/epl-to-have-first-ever-16-day-international-break-from-september-21",
        "published": "2026-09-16T06:12:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}