Home of football statistics and historySeptember’s international break is around the corner, promising a series of heavily anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
European clubs are still warming up for the 2025/26 campaign, eager to make a strong start before the international break interrupts league action.
However, the club season will soon hit a pause button as World Cup qualifiers take centre stage across all continents next month.
European countries continue their qualifying cycle, while nations from the CONMEBOL federation enter the final stage of World Cup qualification.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the standout international matches in September, starting with high-stakes fixtures in Europe.
Turkey vs Spain
Seeking their first appearance on the grandest international stage since 2002, Turkey can hardly imagine a more challenging start to their qualifying journey than a home clash against Spain.
Manager Vincenzo Montella has restored confidence in the locker room, guiding the Crescent-Stars to the quarter-finals at last summer’s European Championship.
Keen to build on that success, Turkey will likely aim to make a statement in Konya when they take on the reigning European champions in their opening Group E outing.
There’s hardly an opposition more formidable than Spain, who head into this qualifying cycle as odds-on favourites to top the group, which also features Bulgaria and Georgia.
With Turkey and La Furia Roja expected to battle for supremacy in this qualifying section, this opening-day showdown has all the makings of an early top-table six-pointer.
Spain are the perennial bookmakers’ favourites, so punters looking for smart value in the betting market will be exploring other options in the international break and in online gaming, with Virgin Games and their offering Jackpot King a new favourite.
Serbia vs England
The two nations met for the first time at Euro 2024, with Jude Bellingham’s early goal inspiring England to a narrow 1-0 victory in the group stages.
Long-serving manager Gareth Southgate stepped down shortly after the Three Lions’ runner-up finish in last summer’s tournament, paving the way for Thomas Tuchel to take charge of one of the world’s best teams.
Three consecutive wins at the start of Group K have propelled England to the top, putting them in pole position to secure an eighth successive appearance at the finals.
Yet to concede a goal in the current cycle, Tuchel’s charges will look to maintain their superb defensive record against misfiring Serbia, who picked up four points in the first two rounds.
Already trailing second-placed Albania by a point, the Eagles cannot afford more slip-ups if they’re to qualify for the World Cup finals the third time in a row.
Hungary vs Portugal
Puskas Arena forms the backdrop for a curtain-raising Group F encounter between Hungary and Portugal, the two most heavily fancied teams to finish top of the table.
Needless to say, the Iberian heavyweights are huge favourites not only to take three points in Budapest but to maintain an impressive record of reaching every World Cup tournament in the 21st century.
With Cristiano Ronaldo vying for his last chance to conquer his final peak and match Lionel Messi’s success from Qatar, Portugal will likely arrive in the Hungarian capital heavily motivated.
The odds are understandably stacked against the home side, considering they have only avoided defeat in one of their six meetings with the Selecao this century, drawing 3-3 in 2016.
Israel vs Italy
This pick may sound surprising, but the stakes cannot be higher for four-time world champions Italy after failing to qualify for the last two World Cup editions.
Luciano Spalletti severed ties with the Azzurri following a see-saw start to their Group I journey, with former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso taking his place.
It’s kind of a Hail Mary attempt from the Italians to revive their qualifying campaign, considering Gattuso’s unenviable track record in club management.
There’s no margin for error as they already sit a whopping nine points adrift of pacesetters Norway, albeit with two games in hand, highlighting the importance of winning on Gattuso’s touchline debut.
Brazil vs Chile
While this match-up has no value in terms of Brazil or Chile’s qualification hopes, Carlo Ancelotti can seize this opportunity to fine-tune his squad following an unconvincing start.
Despite only scoring once in Ancelotti’s first two games in charge, the record-time world champions have booked their tickets to North America with a 1-0 home win over Paraguay last time out.
However, Brazil’s performances in the ongoing qualifying cycle have raised more than a few eyebrows, leaving the trophy-laden manager with work to do before the tournament.
Perhaps Chile’s visit to the iconic Maracana could be a turning point for Brazil as they face an opponent they’ve beaten soundly in their past five meetings, a side completely bereft of confidence, with nothing but pride left to play for.
Nailed to the bottom of the South American standings, La Roja head into proceedings amid a four-game winless run and without a chance of whittling down an eight-point gap on seventh-placed Venezuela.
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