FIFA's new four-match international window draws coach criticism

FIFA compressed the four-match international window from 18 to 16 days, prompting criticism from national team coaches during the Nations League.

• FIFA's 2025–2030 calendar merged the September and October windows into one 16-day window allowing four matches, down from 18 days.
• Netherlands coach Xavi Hernandez said the schedule harms national teams and clubs, which recover injured players, and favored a return to two-match windows.
• England's Thomas Tuchel and Spain's Luis de la Fuente also criticized the system, saying it increases injury risk and shortens recovery time.
• Germany coach Jürgen Klopp split his squad into two groups, fielding 24 players in the opening two matches and 20 in the final two.