A change to the structure in the FIFA calendar means we're set for a prolonged international window.
The traditional October break has now been merged into the September window, meaning Premier League and Championship football will draw to a temporary halt twice before the end of the calendar year, instead of the usual three international breaks from September into November.
However, the consequence of merging the September and October breaks is that the new international window will last for three weeks, which is a week longer than usual.
League One and League Two teams are scheduled to play twice in that period, on the weekend of 26th/27th September and the weekend of 3rd/4th October.
However, with an increasing number of teams in the third and fourth tier possessing players who will be away on international duty, several clubs have the option to postpone their matches.
What's the criteria for match postponement due to international call-ups?
EFL rules state at least THREE players have to be selected for their country's senior, Under-21, Under-20 or Under-19 sides in order for a club to request a postponement.
International age group players - those representing their nation in the Under-21s or below - must have started at least 25% of their club's matches OR featured in a club's previous five first-team matches.
If they fail to meet either of the aforementioned criteria, they are not included in the three-player threshold.
Players signed on loan are also included, which means if three loan players were to receive an international call-up, the club would be permitted to request a postponement.
If a club's first-choice and second-choice goalkeepers are selected for international duty but no other players, the club is still allowed to request a postponement.
The deadline for home clubs to request a postponement is five days before the fixture, while away teams must give notice at least seven days in advance.
