The FIFA has decided to combine two international breaks into one block of four matches from this season. As a result, the Eredivisie will be almost three weeks still after the next weekend. Eredivisie-directeur Jan de Jong explains that this change was made to reduce the number of times players have to travel and to allow clubs to have their players for a shorter period. According to De Jong, clubs will have their players for two days less due to the change.
The Eredivisie has started early this season on purpose, as a result of the FIFA's decision. This means that each club will have at least six matches before the long break. De Jong suggests that this was done to ensure that clubs have a reasonable block of games before the pause, as starting later would have meant that clubs would have played only three matches before the break. The agreement to combine international breaks will continue until 2030.