Predicting the 2026 NFL International Games Ahead of the Schedule Release
The NFL’s international expansion is no longer an experiment — it’s become one of the biggest storylines of every offseason.
With a record nine international games expected in 2026, fans across the UK, Europe, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico are once again waiting for the official schedule release to find out who’s making the trip overseas. London remains the centrepiece of the NFL’s global push, with three games once again set to take place across Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley.
We already know a few important details. The Jacksonville Jaguars are returning for two London games, while the Washington Commanders will also host a game at Tottenham. Around the world, the Rams, Falcons, Saints, Lions, Cowboys, and 49ers are all tied to international fixtures in one way or another.
But the real question UK fans care about is simple: who are these teams bringing with them?
Ahead of the official NFL schedule release, here are some educated guesses for the likely London matchups — plus predictions for the rest of the international slate.
London Game Predictions
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Philadelphia Eagles (Wembley Stadium)
If there’s one team that feels destined for London every couple of years, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles.
The NFL knows exactly what sells overseas, and the Eagles bring one of the largest international fanbases in the league. Their fan support in London has exploded over the last decade, and every Eagles appearance abroad has produced a huge crowd and strong television numbers.
From Jacksonville’s perspective, this also makes sense commercially. The Jaguars have effectively become London’s “adopted” franchise thanks to their long-term UK commitment, so pairing them with a premium NFC opponent feels like an easy win for the league.
The Eagles also fit the profile of a team the NFL loves placing in standalone showcase games. They travel well, they have star power, and they guarantee atmosphere.
If the league wants Wembley to feel like a major event again, Eagles vs Jaguars would absolutely do the job.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
The Jaguars playing back-to-back London games has become increasingly normal, and divisional matchups are now firmly on the table for international scheduling.
Houston feels like a realistic opponent for several reasons.
First, the Texans haven’t played internationally in years. Second, CJ Stroud has quickly become one of the league’s most marketable young quarterbacks. Third, the AFC South rivalry element gives the game real stakes rather than feeling like a random neutral-site matchup.
Tottenham games tend to lean toward younger, faster, more offense-heavy teams because of the stadium’s NFL-first presentation and modern branding. Texans vs Jaguars fits that mould perfectly.
It also wouldn’t surprise anyone if the NFL wanted to showcase two ascending quarterbacks in Trevor Lawrence and Stroud to a growing UK audience.
Washington Commanders vs Cincinnati Bengals (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
This feels like one of the strongest predictions on the board.
The Bengals haven’t played an international game since 2019, and the NFL has been desperate to get Joe Burrow onto a bigger global stage. Pair that with a Commanders team featuring one of the league’s most exciting young cores, and suddenly you have a genuinely attractive London matchup.
There’s also history here.
Washington and Cincinnati famously played to a tie in London back in 2016 at Wembley Stadium. The NFL loves narratives and callbacks, especially when promoting international games.
The Bengals also make sense logistically because they’re one of the biggest remaining television draws that hasn’t been heavily used overseas in recent years.
If the NFL wants one marquee quarterback matchup in London, Burrow vs Jayden Daniels could easily become the headline game of the entire UK slate.
Predicting the Rest of the International Games
Melbourne, Australia: Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers
This one is already confirmed.
The Rams and 49ers will open the international series in Melbourne at the iconic MCG, and frankly, the NFL could not have picked a bigger rivalry.
It gives Australia two West Coast teams with massive brands, huge star power, and a game that should immediately feel important.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Dallas Cowboys vs Baltimore Ravens
Another matchup that has effectively already leaked.
The Cowboys are the NFL’s global superpower when it comes to brand recognition, while Baltimore brings recent contender status and one of the league’s most exciting players in Lamar Jackson.
Brazil is a market the NFL clearly views as a long-term opportunity, so pairing America’s Team with a Super Bowl-calibre opponent makes complete sense.
Madrid, Spain: Atlanta Falcons vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Falcons have already been announced as the designated home team for Madrid, but their opponent remains unknown.
If the NFL truly wants Madrid to explode onto the European sporting scene, there’s one obvious choice: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs have become the NFL’s international headline act over the last five years, and Spain represents a perfect market for a glamour matchup.
Atlanta also makes sense geographically. The city has strong links with Spain through upcoming World Cup events, and the NFL will likely lean heavily into that crossover appeal.
This feels exactly like the kind of game the league would circle for a standalone European showcase.
Paris, France: New Orleans Saints vs Cleveland Browns
This matchup has been heavily rumoured for months, and honestly, it feels too logical not to happen.
The Saints hold marketing rights in France and have spent years building their brand there. Paris hosting its first-ever NFL regular season game almost demands a New Orleans appearance.
The Browns are a plausible opponent because they’re due for an international game and offer enough competitive intrigue without the NFL “burning” one of its top premium franchises.
France also feels like a market where the league may prioritize atmosphere and novelty over blockbuster ratings.
Munich, Germany: Detroit Lions vs New York Giants
Germany has become one of the NFL’s strongest international markets, and the Lions are a smart fit.
Detroit’s rise over the last few seasons has transformed them from underdogs into one of the league’s most entertaining teams. Dan Campbell’s personality, an explosive offense, and a passionate fanbase all translate well internationally.
The Giants, meanwhile, are always in the international conversation because of their global profile and previous London appearances.
This feels like a very “NFL” decision: one rising contender paired with one globally recognizable franchise.
Mexico City, Mexico: San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks
Mexico absolutely loves the 49ers.
San Francisco has one of the largest fanbases in the country, and the NFL knows the atmosphere for a 49ers game in Mexico City would be electric.
Seattle makes sense as a divisional opponent because rivalry games tend to deliver better crowds and stronger television audiences internationally.
The Seahawks also haven’t been overused in overseas games recently, making them a logical candidate.
Final Thoughts
The NFL’s international strategy has clearly shifted from experimentation to premium event scheduling.
Gone are the days when overseas games felt like throwaway matchups featuring struggling franchises. The league now understands that international fans want star quarterbacks, playoff contenders, rivalry games, and meaningful atmospheres.
That’s why London in 2026 could genuinely deliver one of its strongest lineups ever.
If these predictions come close to reality, UK fans may be looking at Joe Burrow, CJ Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and potentially even the Eagles all arriving in London within a three-week stretch.
Not bad for a city that was once viewed as a long-shot NFL market.
The official schedule release will reveal the final answers soon enough — but until then, speculation season is officially open.
