Christian Nørgaard and Mathias Jensen
Moldova vs Denmark: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Saturday 9 October, kick-off 7.45pm
Denmark vs Austria: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Parken, Copenhagen, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 7.45pm
Denmark are a maximum of six points away from securing their spot in next winter’s Qatar World Cup after a perfect campaign so far. The Danes, who are yet to concede in six matches, head to Group F’s bottom side Moldova before hosting fourth-placed Austria. With Scotland and Israel, who sit second and third, facing each other on Saturday, Denmark will secure a Play-Off spot at the least if they win in Chișinău, regardless of any other results.
Saman Ghoddos
United Arab Emirates vs Iran: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Zabeel Stadium, Dubai, Thursday 7 October, kick-off 5.45pm
Iran vs South Korea: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 2.30pm
After winning their opening two games, Saman Ghoddos and Iran now play their two nearest challengers over the coming week. The UAE are currently third after a pair of draws while a win and a draw has South Korea in second. With the top two automatically qualifying for Qatar 2022, a positive week for Team Melli would open up clear daylight in Group A approaching the midway point.
Frank Onyeka
Nigeria vs Central African Republic: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Thursday 7 October, kick-off 5pm
Central African Republic vs Nigeria: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Douala, Cameroon, Sunday 10 October, kick-off 2pm
Nigeria have also won two from two to top Group C in CAF Qualifying and now have a double-header against the side propping up the table over the weekend. Only the group winners make it through to the final two-legged Play-Off so the pressure is on Liberia to match the Super Eagles when they take on Cape Verde.
Patrik Gunnarsson
Iceland vs Armenia: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Friday 8 October, kick-off 7.45pm
Iceland vs Liechtenstein: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Monday 11 October, kick-off 7.45pm
Iceland are in the last chance saloon when it comes to the 2022 World Cup. They simply have to beat Armenia to stand any chance of a top-two finish in Group J. Victory on Friday would cut the gap between the two to four points with three to play, that run-in beginning with Monday’s home against the group’s bottom side, Liechtenstein.
Halil Dervişoğlu
Turkey vs Norway: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul, Friday 8 October, kick-off 7.45pm
Latvia vs Turkey: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Daugava Stadium, Riga, Monday 11 October, kick-off 7.45pm
Group G is the closest in European Qualifying with just two points separating the top three with four to play. Turkey sit third and begin with a huge clash against second-placed Norway on Friday, who they trail by two points, before they travel to fifth-placed Latvia three days later.
Mads Bidstrup
Scotland vs Denmark Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Tynecastle, Edinburgh, Thursday 7 October, kick-off 7.05pm
Belgium vs Denmark Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Den Dreef, Leuven, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 7pm
Denmark began qualifying for the 2023 European Championships with a narrow win over Kazakhstan last month. Group I is shaping up to be a competitive group with Turkey also making up the five-team pool. Following the game against Scotland, it’s the thus-far perfect Belgians who lie in wait for Mads and Denmark.
Jan Žambůrek
Kosovo vs Czech Republic Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri, Pristina, Thursday 7 October, kick-off 6pm
Czech Republic Under-21 vs Kosovo: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Stadion Střelecký ostrov, České Budějovice, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 5pm
Jan has earned his maiden call-up to the Czech Republic Under-21s as they look to continue their winning start in Group G. Kosovo have three points from their opening two games following defeat to England last time out.
Joe Adams, Nathan Shepherd, and Fin Stevens
Moldova vs Wales Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, District Sport Complex, Orhei, Friday 8 October, kick-off 4pm
Netherlands vs Wales Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Goffertstadion – Nijmegen, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 7pm
Last month’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria was crucial for Wales in a group that includes Switzerland as well as next week’s opponents, Netherlands. Moldova have just a single point from their opening three games which included a 3-0 defeat to the Jong Oranje in Deventer.
Alex Gilbert
Ireland Under-21 vs Luxembourg: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, Friday 8 October, kick-off 5.15pm
Montenegro vs Ireland Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Gradski Stadion, Podgorica, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 4.30pm
Ireland have four points in Group F, two behind Italy and three off early leaders Sweden, albeit with a game in hand. Luxembourg have just a solitary point from their opening four games to prop up the group while it’s all the fours for Montenegro, sitting fourth on four points after four played.
Jaakko Oksanen
Azerbaijan vs Finland Under-21: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Sumgait City Stadium, Sumgayit, Friday 8 October, kick-off 5.30pm
Finland Under-21 vs Austria: Under-21 European Championship Qualifying, Tampere Stadion, Tampere, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 5.30pm
Group A is shaping up to be a tight one with Norway, Croatia, Austria, and Finland all covered by just three points in the early stages. The Little Eagle-Owls’ two opponents this month met on Matchday Two with Austria running out 6-0 winners over Azerbaijan.
Matt Cox
England Under-20 vs Italy: International Friendly, Technique Stadium, Chesterfield, Thursday 7 October, kick-off 7pm
Czech Republic vs England Under-20: International Friendly, Na Stínadlech, Teplice, Monday 11 October, kick-off 4pm
The 18-year-old goalkeeper was handed his Under-19 debut last month against Italy but now moves up to the Under-20 squad for the first time ahead of a pair of friendlies this week.
Val Adedokun
Ireland Under-19 vs Sweden International Friendly, Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Friday 8 October, kick-off 2.30pm
Ireland Under-19 vs Sweden: International Friendly, Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Monday 11 October, kick-off 11am
Val has retained his place in Tom Mohan’s squad as the Ireland boss puts the finishing touches to preparations for next month’s Under-19 European Championship Qualifiers against Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
Daniel Oyegoke
England Under-19 vs France: International Friendly, Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Wednesday 6 October, kick-off 3pm
England Under-19 vs Mexico: International Friendly, Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Saturday 9 October, kick-off 2.30pm
England Under-19 vs Belgium: International Friendly, Marbella Football Centre, Marbella, Tuesday 12 October, kick-off 3pm
It’s a similar story for Daniel with Sweden, Switzerland, and Andorra awaiting Ian Foster’s side in next month’s Qualifying Round.
Kristoffer Ajer, Marcus Forss, Ethan Pinnock, and Yoane Wissa will not be joining up with their nations while Tariqe Fosu was not included in Ghana’s final squad.