Somebody knock on wood: There’s an international window on the horizon, and the Loons have a bye week? You mean we actually get a little break? Let’s keep this quiet and try to enjoy it; we don’t want anyone rescheduling a game while we’re resting.

We’ve got World Cup Qualifying, a few intriguing friendlies, and a regional tournament going on during this window, but it’s all just the calm before the storm. Between the Club World Cup and the Gold Cup, a unique summer of soccer is on the way, making this brief window little more than an appetizer, especially for U.S.-based soccer fans. It’s time to warm up your international soccer eyes; read on to pick out all the matches you don’t want to miss and get ready to juggle an increasingly difficult amount of soccer in the coming weeks.

Loons

Six Loons got the call to represent their senior national teams this window, and they’ll be playing in a variety of formats. While we’ve got a break in MLS action until June 14, at least four of our guys will likely miss additional time for the Gold Cup, which just so happens to start on the very same day that Minnesota United returns to action. But, let’s not worry about that just yet. Instead, let’s cheer on the Black and Blue as they don their native colors!

• Dayne St. Clair - Canada
• Tani Oluwaseyi - Canada
• Robin Lod - Finland
• Joseph Rosales - Honduras
• Michael Boxall - New Zealand
• Carlos Harvey - Panama

World Cup Qualifiers: AFC, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, UEFA

Just seven of next year’s 48-team World Cup field have secured their spot, with all three host nations (USA, Mexico, and Canada) joined by AFC representatives Iran and Japan, last tournament’s winners Argentina, and Michael Boxall’s own New Zealand (go Kiwis). We’re getting closer to the business end of these qualifiers, meaning every game carries more meaning than ever before. Whether it’s a win-and-you’re-in situation or a win-to-save-your-chance situation, this round of qualifiers is more than worth tuning into.

AFC

Following this window’s round of action, four more teams from the AFC will have locked down a spot in next year’s big dance. The top two finishers in each of the three groups in this round will book automatic bids, while the third- and fourth-placed nations from each group will advance to the fourth and final round of AFC Qualifying, where two more bids and a spot in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament will be up for grabs. Keep an eye on both Jordan and Uzbekistan, as both could secure their first-ever World Cup appearances. Streaming will be available via OneFootball.

Matchday 9

• Uzbekistan vs. United Arab Emirates, Thursday, June 5, at 11:00 a.m. CT
• Iraq vs. Korea Republic, Thursday, June 5, at 1:15 p.m. CT

Matchday 10

• Uzbekistan vs. Qatar, Tuesday, June 10, at 8:45 a.m. CT
• Jordan vs. Iraq, Tuesday, June 10, at 1:15 p.m. CT
• Australia vs. Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, June 10, at 1:15 p.m. CT

Concacaf

The Second Round of Concacaf WCQs will also be coming to a close this window, with 12 of the 30 remaining nations advancing to the Third Round. Countries have to finish in the top two of their respective groups in order to advance, and given the fact that the second phase is just four games long, nearly every nation still has an outside shot at earning their way through. I’ll be paying close attention to Suriname and Guatemala, both of whom are in prime position to advance in pursuit of their first World Cup Appearances. Concacaf World Cup Qualifying will be available for streaming via FIFA+.

Matchday 3

• Suriname vs. Puerto Rico, Friday, June 6, at 5:00 p.m. CT
• Cayman Islands vs. Honduras, Saturday, June 7, at 2:00 p.m. CT
• Belize vs. Panama, Saturday, June 7, at 8:00 p.m CT

Matchday 4

• Jamaica vs. Guatemala, Tuesday, June 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT
• Panama vs. Nicaragua, Tuesday, June 10, at 7:00 p.m. CT
• El Salvador vs. Suriname, Tuesday, June 10, at 8:00 p.m. CT
• Honduras vs. Antigua and Barbuda, Tuesday, June 10, at 9:00 p.m. CT

CONMEBOL

We’re getting increasingly close to the end of the CONMEBOL qualification process, with just four match days remaining before the top six finishers book their tickets to North America. The champs are already in and Ecuador look like they could wrap up their spot next, but hope and nerves remain for the teams from third to eighth. The pressure is mounting on Bolivia and Venezuela to pick up a few results if they want to keep their dreams of an automatic bid alive, or at the very least, earn their way into the play-off tournament for another chance. This will also be the first time that Brazil’s new manager, the great Carlo Ancelotti, takes the reins of the Selecao, making him the first foreign coach to lead the Canary Yellow. A legendary coach leading a legendary soccer nation can’t go wrong, right? Either way, it’ll be entertaining. You can stream these matches via Fanatiz.

Matchday 15

• Ecuador vs. Brazil, Thursday, June 5, at 6:00 p.m. CT
• Venezuela vs. Bolivia, Friday, June 6, at 5:00 p.m. CT

Matchday 16

• Brazil vs. Paraguay, Tuesday, June 10, at 7:45 p.m. CT

UEFA

The European qualifiers will be less decisive than the rest of the world, with Matchdays 3 and 4 of 10 taking place this window. Early group leaders will be looking to build on solid starts, while others will be hoping to make up for lost ground. Heavy-hitters Croatia, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands will all begin this round of qualifiers during this window after having the last one off, and will likely put immediate pressure on the rest of their groupmates. Finland is currently undefeated in Group G, with four points good enough to earn them second place through two matches, but there’s still a lot of qualifying to play before worrying about who will or won’t make the cut. These games will be available via Disney+, Fox Sports, Fubo TV, and ViX.

Matchday 3

• Norway vs. Italy, Friday, June 6, at 1:45 p.m. CT
• Czechia vs Montenegro, Friday, June 6, at 1:45 p.m. CT
• Finland vs. Netherlands, Saturday, June 7, at 1:45 p.m. CT

Matchday 4

• Croatia vs. Czechia, Monday, June 9, at 1:45 p.m. CT
• Belgium vs. Wales, Monday, June 9, at 1:45 p.m. CT
• Finland vs. Poland, Tuesday, June 10, at 1:45 p.m. CT

CAF: COSAFA Cup

With AFCON 2025 looming this winter, the nations of the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) are taking this time to compete in a sub-regional tune-up tournament. This 14-team competition features two four-team groups and two three-team groups, with group-winners advancing to the semi-finals to battle for the title. I wasn’t personally aware of this tournament prior to today, so I’m excited to see how it shakes out and what it might tell us ahead of this year’s AFCON. Games are available for streaming via FIFA+.

Matchday 1

• South Africa vs. Mozambique, Wednesday, June 4, at 8:00 a.m. CT

Matchday 2

• Madagascar vs. Eswatini, Monday, June 9, at 8:00 a.m. CT

Matchday 3

• Namibia vs. Lesotho, Tuesday, June 10, at 11:00 a.m. CT

Friendlies

I’m saving my hot takes on the state of the USMNT for the next international article, so stay tuned. I will be heard before the Gold Cup kicks off! For now, though, the Red, White, and Blue are among several big nations playing some tune-up friendlies to start this window, along with several of your Loons. Check out a few of these games to see experimental lineups and semi-casual competition as each nation looks to set themselves up for their next big tournament run. The US matches will stream on Max, Peacock, and TNT.

• USMNT vs. Türkiye, Thursday, June 7, at 2:30 p.m. CT
• Canada vs. Ukraine, Thursday, June 7, at 2:30 p.m. CT
• Mexico vs. Switzerland, Thursday, June 7, at 3:00 p.m. CT
• New Zealand vs. Ivory Coast, Thursday, June 7, at 6:00 p.m. CT
• New Zealand vs. Ukraine, Tuesday, June 10, at 4:00 p.m. CT
• USMNT vs. Switzerland, Tuesday, June 10, at 7:00 p.m. CT
• Canada vs. Ivory Coast, Tuesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. CT
• Mexico vs. Türkiye, Tuesday, June 10, at 7:30 p.m. CT

Oh, you want a sample schedule? I thought you’d never ask! I’ve got the perfect plan for you. First, watch a few scattered games as you’re able from Thursday to Monday, then clear your ENTIRE schedule next Tuesday. Your day begins with Namibia vs. Lesotho at 8:00 a.m., then Australia vs. Saudi Arabia at 1:15 p.m., followed by the tail-end of Finland vs. Poland. Then, switch over to Boxy and New Zealand against Ukraine at 4:00, before watching the first half of Jamaica vs. Guatemala as you wait for the USMNT (or Canada) to kick off at 7:00 (or 7:30). Finish your marathon with a few minutes of Brazil vs. Paraguay, then cap it all off with Honduras vs. Antigua and Barbuda while you pass out from soccer overload. Is that a healthy way to spend your day? Almost certainly not, but how glorious!