Xavi joins critics of longer international window

WATCH Netherlands v Serbia and EVERY UEFA Nations League game LIVE on beIN SPORTS | Sign up here and save up to $60 on our Annual Pass Now | AU | NZ

Instead of two international games across nine days in each of September and October, FIFA has this year combined the two international windows into one with four match days, making for an intense programme.

“This schedule is not good. Not for the national teams and not for the clubs that release their players and sometimes see them return injured,” Xavi said ahead of his side's meeting with Serbia on Monday (AEDT).

The Dutch have 23 fit players for that Group A2 game in Eindhoven, with Brian Brobbey, Lutsharel Geertruida, Cody Gakpo and Jan Paul van Hecke all injured in its past three games and now back at their clubs.

“Scheduling such a packed calendar three months after the World Cup is asking for trouble,” Xavi added.

“You also have training, travelling, recovering from matches and things like that. It’s very strange to schedule an international window like this at this stage of the season.”

Spaniard Xavi, who was appointed Netherlands coach in August, suggested that authorities review the situation.

“I would rather see us play two internationals," he said. "That would be better for everyone. But as far as I know, it was decided a long time ago that we will also have a block of four matches at this stage next year.”

The longer international window was always going to be a challenge for national team coaches, without any experience of how to handle the extra workload.

Germany’s new coach Juergen Klopp called up 44 players in two separate squads, although the team's results have been mixed.

“The shifts in training, work style, and play style between the national team and club inherently create certain risks. This format only heightens those risks rather than alleviating them,” England manager Thomas Tuchel said this week.

Spain's 2026 FIFA World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente aired his opinion last month.

"I don't like the new format; I prefer the old one. It gave you more rest. In my opinion, it took better care of the players' health,” he said.

The next three international windows in November, March, and June will be the usual nine-day period with two match days, but FIFA has scheduled a combined September/October window of 16 days for the next four years, through to 2030.