When are the international breaks? Who are England playing next? Nations League and World Cup qualifying dates revealed
By James Hilsum
Updated 08/08/2024 at 14:16 GMT+1
With England's Euro 2024 heartbreak moving further into the rearview mirror, attention now turns to the start of the UEFA Nations League campaign and qualification for the 2026 World Cup. We give you the international dates to look out for and when England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be in action in the new season.
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The summer festival of football that was Euro 2024 has now been consigned to the history books, and there is not too long to wait until the next spell of international action.
While the start of the Premier League season on August 16 will be the immediate focus for football fans, England will soon be back in action.
A new post-Gareth Southgate era commences in September, in what will be the first of three international windows before New Year.
The UEFA Nations League takes centre stage, with all four Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland involved in the European competition.
England suffered the ignominy of relegation to League B after finishing bottom of a League A group containing Italy, Germany and Hungary last time out.
Wales are also in League B and will face Iceland, Montenegro and Turkey, while Northern Ireland are in League C and play Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Belarus in the group stage.
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Meanwhile, Scotland won promotion to League A after finishing top of a group containing Ukraine, the Republic of Ireland and Armenia.
Steve Clarke’s side have group fixtures against Croatia, Poland and Portugal to look forward to across the next three international windows.
As we head into 2025, the competition enters its quarter-final stage before the qualification process begins for the 2026 World Cup.
Who are England playing next?
England are back in action on September 7 when they begin their Nations League campaign against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The match kicks off at 17:00 UK time.
There is then a quick turnaround, with The Three Lions back in action three days later at home to Finland at Wembley, kicking off at 19:45.
When are the international breaks?
- September 2-10, 2024: UEFA Nations League
- October 7-15, 2024: UEFA Nations League
- November 11-19, 2024: UEFA Nations League
- March 17-25, 2025: UEFA Nations League quarter-finals and play-offs/World Cup qualifiers
- June 2-10, 2025: UEFA Nations League finals/World Cup qualifiers
It should be noted that the only fixtures to be confirmed are currently the Nations League group stage matches.
The World Cup European qualifying competition will begin in March, with the draw set to be made in December.
A total of 12 groups will be drawn, with the winners automatically sealing a place in the expanded 48-team finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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The runners-up head into a play-off round, along with the four highest-ranked Nations League teams who did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying groups.
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