Published : 03 Oct 2026, 10:46 PM
Updated : 03 Oct 2026, 10:46 PM
Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez has criticised FIFA’s expanded international window, saying a schedule of four Nations League matches in 11 days puts players and clubs at unnecessary risk.
FIFA has combined the September and October international windows this year, replacing two separate nine-day periods with a single 16-day window featuring four match days.
“This schedule is not good. Not for the national teams and not for the clubs that release their players and sometimes see them return injured,” Xavi told a press conference on Saturday.
The Netherlands have 23 fit players available for Sunday’s Group A2 match against Serbia in Eindhoven, after Brian Brobbey, Lutsharel Geertruida, Cody Gakpo and Jan Paul van Hecke were injured in their last three games and returned to their clubs.
“Scheduling such a packed calendar three months after the World Cup is asking for trouble,” Xavi said.
“You also have training, travelling, recovering from matches and things like that. It’s very strange to schedule an international window like this at this stage of the season.”
Xavi, who was appointed Netherlands coach in August, said football authorities should reconsider the format.
“I would rather see us play two internationals,” he said. “That would be better for everyone. But as far as I know, it was decided a long time ago that we will also have a block of four matches at this stage next year.”
New International Window Poses Challenge
The longer international window has presented a challenge for national team coaches, who have had little experience managing the additional workload.
Germany coach Juergen Klopp called up 44 players in two separate squads, although his side’s results have been mixed.
“The shifts in training, work style, and play style between the national team and club inherently create certain risks. This format only heightens those risks rather than alleviating them,” England manager Thomas Tuchel said this week.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also criticised the format last month.
“I don’t like the new format; I prefer the old one. It gave you more rest. In my opinion, it took better care of the players’ health,” he said.
The next three international windows, in November, March and June, will return to the usual nine-day format with two match days.
However, FIFA has scheduled a combined September-October window lasting 16 days for the next four years, through to 2030.
