CLUB FOOTBALL DURING THE INTERNATIONAL WINDOW

Die-hard club football fans love to grumble about the international window, especially now that it has been extended as part of FIFA’s new-look calendar.

But it is a myth that top-flight club football completely ceases during international windows. We know because we’ve been poring over the league of all 211 FIFA members!

So which countries don’t actually have a football league to speak of at present? Which nations are so closed to the outside world that finding out information is nigh-on impossible? And what is, in fact, the highest-profile league continuing during the September/October window?

Plus, French overseas territories hold a special Coupe de France qualifying window and Mexico’s Liga MX unexpectedly bucks a trend across the football world.

Join us on for Monday’s bonus podcast, which was recorded in front of a live studio audience. We bring you the best obscure headlines from the international window, including the Cook Islands’ first home game in 28 years and a controversial call-up in Madagascar.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:23 – Nations with no league

03:45 – Countries closed off to the world

05:31 – Overview: UEFA

07:42 – Overview: CONCACAF & CONMEBOL

10:44 – Overview: CAF, AFC & OFC

13:35 – Highest-profile continuing leagues

15:40 – Outro