International men’s football returns today, Thursday, September 24, for the first time since the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nations across Europe and other regions beginning a new international cycle.
UEFA’s 2026/27 Nations League officially gets underway today, while African nations also begin their campaigns in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Today’s Fixtures.
UEFA Nations League
- Netherlands vs Germany
- Serbia vs Greece
- Norway vs Denmark
- Portugal vs Wales
- Austria vs Israel
- Kosovo vs Ireland
- Andorra vs Malta
- Liechtenstein vs Lithuania
International friendlies
- Japan vs Uruguay
- South Korea vs Ecuador
- China vs Maldives
- Uzbekistan vs Iran
The return of international football marks the beginning of a new period for national teams following the 2026 World Cup. The September-October international window has been extended, allowing teams to play several matches as they begin preparations for their next competitive objectives.
Among the biggest fixtures today is Netherlands vs Germany, while Portugal face Wales and Norway meet Denmark in other Nations League encounters.
These matches give coaches an early opportunity to assess players and begin shaping their squads for the next stage of international competition.
In Africa, attention is also turning to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, which officially began today. Forty-eight nations are competing across 12 groups, with the tournament scheduled to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
With a new international cycle now underway, supporters around the world once again turn their attention from club football to the national stage.
