What Are The World’s Biggest Leagues That Don't Stop For The International Break?

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. On our Patreon (  / sweeperpod  , you can listen to 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 Listen to The Sweeper: • Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/AppleSweeper • Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifySweeper Follow The Sweeper: • Twitter: x.com/SweeperPod • Instagram: instagram.com/sweeperpod • Facebook: facebook.com/SweeperPod Support The Sweeper • Join The Sweeper on⁠ Patreon⁠ • Support The Sweeper on ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠ The Sweeper team • Hosts: Lee Wingate and Paul Watson • Editor: Ralph Foster