Super Eagles friendlies and other important matches to watch in the October international break
As is the case every year, top-level domestic soccer comes to a halt in most countries around the world in the second week of October, with the international game taking centre stage.
Our Boys will be playing friendly
matches with Saudi Arabia and Mozambique during the October international break in Portugal.
With the Afcon just weeks away in Cote d’Ivoire, the matches are of importance for football aficionados in Nigeria as they will give an insight into the form of the players and how they have gelled together as a team.
But apart from Super Eagles matches qualification for the 2026 World Cup continues in South America and for Euro 2024.
In South America, qualification for the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is already underway, while we have passed the halfway points in Euro 2024 qualifying.
The USMNT and Mexico, meanwhile, aren’t involved in the first phase of the rebranded CONCACAF Nations League, which finishes on 16 October. As a result, the North American duo have to make do with friendly games to prepare for the quarter-finals of the tournament, to be played next month.
The 2024 European Championship will take place in Germany in June and July next year, with countries having three or four matches left to play in qualifying, which ends in November. Some, including France, England, Portugal, and Scotland, could clinch their spots over the next 10 days or so, with matches left to spare.
Spain vs Scotland, Thursday
Croatia vs Turkey, Thursday
Ireland vs Greece, Friday
Netherlands vs France, Friday
Austria vs Belgium, Friday
Portugal vs Slovakia, Friday
Norway vs Spain, Sunday
Belgium vs Sweden, Monday
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Portugal, Monday
England vs Italy, Tuesday
Serbia vs Montenegro, Tuesday
CONMEBOL was the first confederation to get 2026 World Cup qualifying underway, with the first two of 18 fixtures played in September. Rounds three and four will take place this month, with big hitters Brazil and Argentina, featuring Inter Miami’s fit-again Lionel Messi, expecting to build on perfect starts.
Colombia vs Uruguay, Thursday
Argentina vs Paraguay, Thursday
Brazil vs Venezuela, Thursday
Ecuador vs Colombia, Tuesday
Uruguay vs Brazil, Tuesday 17
Peru vs Argentina, Tuesday 17
Friendly games to watch
With the creation of the Nations League in Europe and CONCACAF, international friendlies are much less frequent than they once were. However, sometimes needs must be when no competitive fixtures are scheduled, which is the case for the USMNT and Mexico in the October break.
England vs Australia, Friday
USMNT vs Germany, Saturday
Mexico vs Ghana, Saturday
France vs Scotland, Tuesday
Mexico vs Germany, Tuesday
USMNT vs Ghana, Tuesday
