Do International Breaks Need to Stop?

International breaks in football have become increasingly frustrating. With the season stuck in a stop-start motion, it feels like the games never truly get going. There have been growing calls from fans to either drastically reform the concept of international breaks or to abolish them completely.

Although international competitions hold an undeniable prestige, the frequent interruptions during the domestic season caused by these breaks drastically disrupts the flow of club football, imposing significant challenges for both players and fans.

With modern football’s intense schedules, players are under crazy expectations and the pressure of staying fit and healthy in order not to miss out on games is large; this places a huge strain on the athletes, both physically and mentally. International fixtures add to the constant cycle of travelling, training, etc. Attempting to balance this alongside domestic football and a life outside of football can be near impossible. It can also result in exhaustion, burnout, or risk injuries – especially when players aren’t given sufficient time to rest and recover. Valuable players often return home fatigued, damaging the club’s performance, and frustrating fans who wish to see their team perform well.

Moreover, from a club’s perspective, international breaks can disrupt a team’s momentum. Clubs often find themselves forming a strong level of cohesion over a string of matches, only for that rhythm to be completely derailed by a two-week hiatus. Once players return from international games, the club faces the issue of reintegrating them into the team in the limited time frame between the next fixtures. In a sport where consistency greatly contributes to a club’s success, these interruptions can become seriously problematic.

International breaks also cause annoyance amongst fans as many feel like they take the focus away from domestic football. Although many supporters enjoy international football, the constant disruptions in the domestic calendar feel unwelcome, particularly when they break is purely for low-stake friendlies or qualifiers. Not only this, but the frequency of these games is what brings the majority of upset, with many fans thinking that it is unnecessary and a shame to prioritise them over domestic fixtures.

While international football deserves its place and status in the sport, the current structure of it just doesn’t seem to function well. A rework of them, prioritising players’ wellbeing and the integrity of club football is long overdue.