The revised schedule combines the previous September and October windows into one four-match international break. It is designed to reduce repeated disruption for clubs and cut down on long-haul travel, but it leaves managers with little time to establish their ideas.
Zidane’s France begin away to Turkey on Friday before travelling to face Belgium three days later. He succeeds Didier Deschamps after a five-year wait and inherits a side captained by Kylian Mbappé, with Spain having ended France’s last two tournament campaigns in the semi-finals.
The early question is simple: can Zidane bring his club-level authority to a national team expected to challenge immediately?
Klopp starts his Germany tenure in the Netherlands on Thursday, two years after leaving Liverpool. His opening squad contained 44 players, divided into two groups for the first fixtures, underlining the scale of the rebuild.
Germany then host Greece in Augsburg and Serbia in Munich before travelling to Greece on 4 October. The pressure is substantial, with the country still seeking a return to the deepest stages of major tournaments after years of disappointment.
Klopp’s first task may be less about a finished system and more about restoring belief.
England host world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday, giving Thomas Tuchel a major early examination. Spain arrive with Luis de la Fuente extended until 2032 after winning European and world titles.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo remains involved with Portugal at 41. The Nations League holders begin against Wales before a potentially memorable meeting with Erling Haaland and Norway in Oslo.
The leading two teams in each group advance to two-legged quarter-finals in March, so every early decision could shape the route to the Final Four in June.