FIFA are in line to discuss whether to change the scheduling for mid-season international breaks, introducing fewer, longer intervals.
The current setup, required for World Cup, European Championship and youth international qualifiers, sees domestic action adjourned four times a season.
The first comes in September, with further breaks in October, November and, finally, in March.
With the Premier League currently paused for international action, Jurgen Klopp has seen 25 of his Liverpool players depart for duty.
But this could change if a FIFA proposal is passed, with BBC Sport reporting that “world football’s governing body, which wants to find a balance between club and national team competitions, is at the start of the consultation process.”
“The dates of the international breaks are fixed until 2024, unless stakeholders—including clubs, leagues and broadcasters—agree to a change,” they add.
Dates for this season’s international fixtures are currently scheduled as August 29 to September 6, October 2 to 10, November 6 to 14 and March 19 to 27.
The prospect of fewer breaks is an interesting one, which could in theory see three-week periods in October and March.
However, it also raises problems in terms of scheduling, with the current Premier League campaign already ending a week early to accommodate the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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