The first international break of 2022 takes place in March as teams across the world continue to battle for World Cup spots.

With qualifying drawing to a close and the Nations League returning later on in the year, we bring you all you need to know about the pauses in the English calendar.

When are the international breaks in 2022?

With the 2022 World Cup taking place in Qatar in November and December, the usual spread of international breaks look a little different this year.

The first domestic pause comes in its usual spot between March 21 and March 29, while there is also an international window between May 30 and June 14 at the end of the campaign.

Usually there are breaks in the Premier League season at the start of September and October. But this year will see just one week without top-flight football between September 20 and 28.

The World Cup is scheduled to start on November 21 and end on December 18, with the call-up period starting on November 14 for all the countries competing.

What are the big games?

In Europe, the March break will see the World Cup qualifying play-offs used to decide the final three UEFA spots at this year’s tournament.

Wales, Scotland, Italy, Portugal and Ukraine are among the teams competing for a place in Qatar.

There are qualifying games still to be played in North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania too.

Meanwhile, the rest of the European nations will play friendlies during this window.

The June and September breaks will be used for the next edition of the Nations League in Europe.

And the final, long international break sees the controversial first-ever winter World Cup in Qatar.

Who do England play?

England play two games at Wembley this month — against Switzerland on March 26 and Ivory Coast on March 29.

For the Nations League clashes, they travel to Hungary on June 4 and Germany on June 7 before facing Italy on June 11 and Hungary at Wolves’ Molineux ground on June 14.

Both the away match at Hungary and home game against Italy will be played behind closed doors following sanctions over fan behaviour at Euro 2020.

In September, England will travel to Italy and host old rivals Germany before their World Cup campaign begins in November.