European Federations Criticize Four-Game FIFA Break

European soccer federations told UEFA they are unhappy with the new 16-day four-game international break that combined the September and October two-game windows. After a closed-door meeting Thursday in Berlin, one federation official called it a "disaster." UEFA will gather member associations' views to weigh a submission to FIFA. The block is locked through 2030, when Europe plays four games Sept. 23–Oct. 8. Only Azerbaijan among UEFA's 55 federations defended FIFA's calendar. Next year's matches are 2028 European Championship qualifiers. Niko Kovač said the break leaves clubs without momentum for two or 2½ weeks and starting from scratch, with players also returning injured. Stale Solbakken called the schedule more brutal for Champions League players with little vacation after the World Cup and substituted Erling Haaland during Norway's loss to Portugal. The window followed the longest-ever 48-team World Cup. FIFA said the longer break allowed the Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia. European clubs had wanted fewer longer breaks to limit disruption and travel. Manchester City next face Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.