The first international football break since this summer’s World Cup gets under way this week, with Azerbaijan, Türkiye and the four UK home nations all back in action.
This autumn’s opening international window is longer than usual, running from 21 September to 6 October after the traditional September and October breaks were combined. It means most European sides will play four UEFA Nations League matches over the next fortnight.
Türkiye, England and Wales will all compete in League A. Türkiye face a formidable Group A1 containing France, Italy and Belgium, while England are in Group A3 with Spain, Croatia and Czechia. Wales have been drawn in Group A4 alongside reigning Nations League champions Portugal, Denmark and Norway.
Scotland and Northern Ireland start their campaigns in League B. The Scots face Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1, while Northern Ireland’s Group B2 opponents are Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia. Azerbaijan are in League D2 with Lithuania and Liechtenstein.
Azerbaijan will actually be the first of the six teams in action, hosting Tajikistan in a friendly in Baku on Wednesday. They then play three Nations League fixtures during the international window.
Among the standout opening games, England welcome newly crowned world champions Spain to Wembley, while Türkiye start their Nations League campaign at home to France. Wales travel to Portugal, Scotland are away to Slovenia and Northern Ireland begin in Georgia.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 FIXTURES
Wednesday 23 September 2026
Azerbaijan v Tajikistan 17:00 (int’l friendly)
Thursday 24 September 2026
Portugal v Wales 19:45 (Nations League Group A4)
Friday 25 September 2026
Georgia v Northern Ireland 17:00 (Nations League Group B2)
Türkiye v France 19:45 (Nations League Group A1)
Saturday 26 September 2026
Slovenia v Scotland 14:00 (Nations League Group B1)
England v Spain 19:45 (Nations League Group A3)
Sunday 27 September 2026
Lithuania v Azerbaijan 14:00 (Nations League Group D2)
Denmark v Wales 17:00 (Nations League Group A4)
Monday 28 September 2026
Northern Ireland v Hungary 19:45 (Nations League Group B2)
Türkiye v Italy 19:45 (Nations League Group A1)
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Scotland v Switzerland 19:45 (Nations League Group B1)
Czechia v England 19:45 (Nations League Group A3)
Thursday 01 October 2026
Azerbaijan v Liechtenstein 17:00 (Nations League Group D2)
Wales v Norway 19:45 (Nations League Group A4)
Friday 02 October 2026
Belgium v Türkiye 19:45 (Nations League Group A1)
Ukraine v Northern Ireland 19:45 (Nations League Group B2)
Saturday 03 October 2026
Croatia v England 17:00 (Nations League Group A3)
North Macedonia v Scotland 19:45 (Nations League Group B1)
Sunday 04 October 2026
Azerbaijan v Lithuania 15:00 (Nations League Group D2)
Wales v Denmark 19:45 (Nations League Group A4)
Monday 05 October 2026
Italy v Türkiye 19:45 (Nations League Group A1)
Northern Ireland v Georgia 19:45 (Nations League Group B2)
Tuesday 06 October 2026
Scotland v Slovenia 19:45 (Nations League Group B1)
England v Czechia 19:45 (Nations League Group A3)
All times above are UK times.
Main image, top, after Orkun Kökçü's goal when Türkiye beat the United States 3-2 in the World Cup, 26 June 2026. Photo via X / Türkiye #BizimÇocuklar
