This is the first international break of the year and a time when many fans close the two -week shutdown of the club game, especially in such a major stage of the season. But despite the absence of Premier League, Laliga and other major club action, there are a lot of stories to focus as a merit campaign for the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup and face each other in major European countries in gear.
This is a big week for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo And the beginning of Thomas Tuthel’s reign as England’s manager, while expansion for 48 teams in the World Cup final has opened the door to take a huge step towards merit for some unfamiliar countries this week.
So with international fixtures about starting, here are to see players and nations.
Thomas Tuchel starts with England
Thomas Tochhel was hired by the England Football Association as the manager of England with just one purpose – won the 2026 World Cup – and the task begins with two domestic sports against Albania and Latvia as the three Lions start their merit campaign this week.
Although Gareth Southgate took England in the final of the last two European Championships, in Russia, in the semi -finals of the 2018 World Cup, the largest club league house in the world is still waiting to win the prior men’s international trophy since 1966. That is why Tuchel is hired. Former Borusia Dortmund, Paris St.-Germen, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach have a stellar CV, who won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and he also knows how to handle star players at the highest level.
Can she be the key that unlocks the door for success for England, or will the 51-year-old a more high-profile failure? The answer will probably come to the World Cup in the next summer, but a victorious start in Group K is important if Tuchel has to enjoy the honeymoon period at the beginning of its reign.
Højlund vs Ronaldo: Gol-Shay Striker vs. Gol Machine
When Denmark and Portugal Copenhagen meet in the first phase of their UEFA Nations League quarter -finals in Copenhagen on Thursday, it will be a conflict between the striker who cannot score and who cannot stop scoring.
Denmark forward Ritual The 21-market streak for Manchester United ended by scoring against Leicester City on Sunday, but despite not searching for a net for his country since doing so against San Marino in October 2023, he has still made a place in Brian Reimer’s squad this week.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo led the scoring chart with 18 goals for this season in the Saudi Pro League, and he faces Denmark to expand his world-ridden men’s international tally by adding 135 goals to Portugal.
But the postmatch chat between Hoslund and Ronaldo can be the most interesting element of this encounter. Ronaldo Old Trafford was a young round-scoring sensation for United during his first magic, and some words of advice to Hosland could help 22 years to find 22 years old in a joint shirt.
Heavyweight action for Argentina
Five points of world champion Argentina Pack are clear and certainly for merit from the South American section, but Lionel Scaloni’s team faces two huge games against traditional rivals Uruguay and Brazil this week.
If Argentina defeated Uruguay in second place in Montavidio on 21 March, four days later, before claiming three points against Brazil in Buenos Aires, the mandatory mandatory may be confirmed, depending on the results of advancing teams.
Lionel MessiRecent injuries with Inter Miami means that the 37 -year -old will remember both sports for their country during this international break. But even without further Barcelona and PSG, Argentina will expect to underline their position as the best team in the world by winning both sports.
Disadvantages to Brazil, who have struggled to qualify and are in fifth place, will be put in danger of sucking in a battle against both Argentina and Colombia to qualify in one of the six automated places.
Pochettino gets a chance to show the progress of USMNT
The Maurisio Pocheto has six games during his tenure as the United States coach and former Tottenham Hotsper, PSG and Chelsea Boss have made an impressive start with five wins so far – although one of his defeats came in October against fellow ConcacAF Heavyweight Mexico.
But now just 15 months away with the 2026 World Cup, Thursday’s ConcacAF Nation League will be the first real test of their progress against Panama against Panama against Panama against Panama against Panama.
With a place in The Nations League final against Canada or Mexico, any failure to go ahead of the last four will be a shock to the USMNT expectations of deepening in the World Cup, which they co-maintain with Canada and Mexico next year.
The duration of Poch Honeymoon is still on, but it becomes real from this stage and anything but a win against Panama will win the final on Sunday.
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Can USMNT be the world’s top team in 5-10 years?
Steve Nicole and Craig Burly reacted to the Mauurisio Pocheto’s claim that USMNT could be number 1 in the world in five or 10 years.
Sudan faced a decisive struggle in his World Cup campaign
The nine African nations will directly qualify for the World Cup next year and increased allocation from the last five automated slots gave some nations a chance to play in the finals for the first time. Group B leaders Sudan can strengthen their grip at the top position and grow close to a shock qualification if they defeat Senegal at home at home on Saturday.
Senegal’s two points are clear at the top of the Sudan Group and are facing another domestic game against South Sudan next Tuesday. Kwesi Appiah’s relative unknown team outside Africa – none of the squads in Europe and Sudan plays the most in Libya and Tanzania – if the results go on their way can be on the verge of merit.
Keep an eye on Madagascar, Komoros and Rwanda, which both take their groups to the next week’s fixtures. Madagascar, the 116th in the FIFA world rankings, went to the top of Group I on Wednesday, Comoros and Ghana, which hosts Ghana on Monday, when a win will give him a huge boost to be a shock world cup qualifier. Meanwhile, Rwanda is, the top group C, including Nigeria, who is still struggling fifth without winning four matches.
Iraq closed to end 40 -year World Cup waiting
Iraq played in just one World Cup final in Mexico in 1986. But, 40 years later, the 2007 Asian champions are certainly to claim one of the eight automated qualification locations and can go within a point of qualification during international breaks.
Managed by Spanish coach Jesus Kasas, Iraq faced Kuwait at home on Thursday before playing Palestine at a neutral site after five days. Both Kuwait and Palestine are scheduled to win in Group B.
The perennial World Cup qualifier tops the South Korea Group, but with two automatic qualification spots available, Iraq in second place can open a five -digit difference to play two games, if they win their fiction and in third place Jordan loses to South Korea on 25 March.
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Khusanov of Man City gifted Mercedes on returning to Uzbekistan
Abdukodir Khusanov is given Mercedes on returning to Uzbekistan for international break.
Iran on Iran for us in 2026
Iran can secure everyone in a fourth serial World Cup with a win against the United Arab Emirates in Tehran on Thursday.
Irani is unbeaten in her last 10 matches and has won her last six fixtures against UAE, in third place in Asia Group A, six points behind the runway leaders. If Iran wins the game and then avoid defeat against Uzbekistan in second place – also at home – next Tuesday, they will confirm the merit for the 2026 World Cup.
Uzbekistan, who have never played in the World Cup, can also go close to merit. A win at home for the Republic of Kyrgyz on Thursday, Iran’s victory against UAE, will put Manchester City Abdukodir khusanov Within touching the distance of a World Cup place.
All to play in Auckland
An automatic qualification berth in Oceania will be fixed during this international break, a final four mini-torture will be hosted with New Zealand which also features New Caladonia, Tahiti and Fiji.
New Caledonia will face Tahiti in the first semi -final in Wellington on Friday, meeting Fiji at the same place in New Zealand after four hours.
New Zealand, led by Nottingham Forest Forward Chris WoodFor the first presence in the World Cup since 2010 in South Africa, it will be a strong favorite to emerge with a competence place by winning the final in Auckland on Monday.
But due to another chance in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs, the runner-up will still be expected in Auckland. In March 2026, two concacaf nations and one -one of the Asia, Africa, Oceania and South America will fight for two final places in the 2026 World Cups.