New FIFA Rule Sparks Outrage Among Premier League Clubs — Sunderland and Newcastle Affected!

FIFA Announces New International Calendar Affecting Premier League Schedule

FIFA has unveiled a significant overhaul to the international football calendar, which will take effect next year and impact all Premier League clubs, including Sunderland and Newcastle United.

The ongoing September international break will be the last in its current format, as changes are set to be implemented following the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA’s new calendar will reduce the number of international breaks from four to three per season, in a move designed to minimize disruption to domestic leagues.

Starting from September 2026, the traditional September and October windows will be merged into a single 16-day break, running from September 21 to October 6, allowing national teams to play up to four matches.

This will be followed by two additional windows in November and March, each lasting nine days and featuring two matches.

As a result, this will be the final time Premier League players are released for international duty at the beginning of September.

FIFA claims the revised structure will help reduce fixture congestion for clubs while maintaining the same number of international matches throughout the season.

Once the international break concludes, Sunderland will return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Sunderland Team News: Injury Boosts and New Signings Integrate

Manager Régis Le Bris has received a welcome boost ahead of Sunderland’s clash with Crystal Palace, as key player Luke O’Nien steps up his recovery from a shoulder injury.

The versatile 29-year-old has been sidelined since the opening minutes of Sunderland’s play-off final win over Sheffield United but was spotted back in training this week alongside players not on international duty.

The club had originally targeted a return for O’Nien after the international break, and he appears to be on track to meet that goal.

His return adds much-needed depth and flexibility to the defensive line, although competition for places remains high following a busy summer transfer window.

Defender Aji Alese also resumed training after missing the entire pre-season with an injury, and he could soon be available for selection.

Meanwhile, Dennis Cirkin and Leo Hjelde are progressing in their recovery and are expected to return after the break, although neither has been seen in full training yet.

In other squad updates, new signings Lutsharel Geertruida and Brian Brobbey trained with the team for the first time since arriving on deadline day from RB Leipzig and Ajax, respectively.

Both are in contention to make their Sunderland debuts at Selhurst Park, though Le Bris may need to ease them in given their limited recent game time.

Bertrand Traoré, who also joined from Ajax in the final moments of the transfer window, may not be available in time for the Palace match.

The winger is currently away on international duty with Burkina Faso and is expected to join the squad late next week, giving the coaching staff little time to prepare him for immediate involvement.