FIFA confirm major rule change that will affect Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

FIFA has confirmed that they shall be changing the international calendar next season to limit disruption on the domestic schedule.

Currently, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and the remainder of the Premier League and EFL Championship, see their season paused less than a month into the campaign. This year, it is to allow for FIFA World Cup qualifiers to take place.

However, this international window has also been used for UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifiers previously.

With many of these international matches seen as inconsequential to supporters, there is often disappointment to see the Premier League campaign pause just three games in.

From next season, it is all change with the September international window being modified. Instead of breaking at the beginning of September and then again just a month later in October, FIFA has decided to combine the two windows.

A longer, 16-day international window will run from September 21 to October 6 next year to allow for as many as four international matches to be played. This will then be followed by the usual November and March windows that shall be nine-days long.

The hope is that there will be less disruption for teams in the top flights around the world while also allowing countries to play the same amount of international fixtures.

For now, the London Premier League clubs will have to make do with the current arrangements. But, fans will not have to wait long to see their teams back in action.

The Gunners return on Saturday, September 13 in the early kick-off against Nottingham Forest. Spurs will travel to face fierce rivals West Ham United in the teatime kick-off before Chelsea feature in a rare Saturday night fixture when they visit Brentford at 8pm.

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