FIFA are set to cut the number of international breaks from five to four.
The move means radical plans championed by Arsene Wenger to restrict international football to two longer breaks have been abandoned.
As part of their plan to redraw the global calendar, the world governing body proposed two alternative schedules last year, with either all qualifiers taking place each October, or two three-week breaks in October and March.
Many football associations opposed the proposals as they would downgrade the international game, making it harder to sell tickets and FIFA are now ready to back down.