We’re back. International soccer returns to rear its lovely head once more, giving us a break before Decision Day and generally hitting the reset button for teams across the league as they gear up for this year’s playoffs. With World Cup Qualifying sweeping the globe right now, plenty of players will be heading into playoff-esque environments: the perfect preparation for a postseason run.

Loons

Your international Loons are back at it again, this time with a new face joining the call-up list. MNUFC2’s Muba Nour has earned his first call-up to the Somali national team for their final two World Cup Qualifying matches! Congrats, Muba! He and fellow MNUFC2 player Momoh Kamara will be competing in the final two matches of CAF WCQ, while Robin Lod and Joseph Rosales take the next step in their respective nations’ qualifying journeys as well. The remaining two Loons are playing in friendlies this window, so less stress for Michael Boxall and Dayne St. Clair! As always, Loons matches are bolded in the lists to follow.

• Dayne St. Clair - Canada
• Robin Lod - Finland
• Joseph Rosales - Honduras
• Michael Boxall - New Zealand

MNUFC2

• Muba Nour - Somalia
• Momoh Kamara - Sierra Leone

World Cup Qualifiers: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, UEFA

Just like last international window, this one is all about World Cup Qualifiers, baby. All across Afro-Eurasia (the official name of the combined landmass of which three continents?), teams are continuing their march toward 2026. We saw South American qualifiers wrap up last month, with drama down to the very last minute. This month, we’ll see more teams officially qualify, several step right up to the line, and watch a few dreams get suspended for at least another four years. It’s the tournament before the tournament, the test before the test, the gauntlet before the gauntlet. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s World Cup Qualifying, and it’s almost as fun as the real thing.

**AFC**:

The Fourth Round of AFC qualifying will take place this month, with two groups of three fighting it out for two more guaranteed spots in the 2026 World Cup. Group A consists of Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, while Group B is made up of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia. From October 8 to October 14, they’ll be playing a round-robin group stage, with the highest point-earners from each group taking home the spot. The runners-up in each group will advance to the fifth, final round of qualifying, set to take place next month.

How to watch: FIFA+

Matchday 1

• Oman vs. Qatar, Wednesday, October 8, at 10:00 a.m. CT
• Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, October 8, at 12:15 p.m. CT

Matchday 2

• United Arab Emirates vs. Oman, Saturday, October 11, at 12:15 p.m. CT
• Iraq vs. Indonesia, Saturday, October 11, at 2:30 p.m. CT

Matchday 3

• Qatar vs. United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, October 14, at 12:00 p.m. CT
• Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq, Tuesday, October 14, at 1:45 p.m. CT

**CAF**

The first round of African qualifying also ends this month, with just two group stage games remaining. In this stage, 34 teams are fighting for seven remaining spots, with two of the nine group winners already decided. Egypt has all but locked up top spot in Group A, Cape Verde is one win away from their first World Cup, and Algeria and Ghana are on the cusp. A slip-up from any of these group leaders could open the door for some truly exciting finales, so watch closely! Even if they take care of business, there will be plenty of drama in the tighter groups, with races between Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and South Africa, and Ivory Coast and Gabon all setting up must-watch finishes.

How to watch: FIFA+

Matchday 9

• Libya vs. Cape Verde, Wednesday, October 8, at 8:00 a.m. CT
• Sierra Leone vs. Burkina Faso, Wednesday, October 8, at 11:00 a.m. CT
• Somalia vs. Algeria, Thursday, October 9, at 11:00 a.m. CT
• Gambia vs. Gabon, Friday, October 10, at 8:00 a.m. CT

Matchday 10

• Djibouti vs. Sierra Leone, Sunday, October 12, at 8:00 a.m. CT
• Algeria vs. Uganda, Tuesday, October 14, at 11:00 a.m. CT
• DR Congo vs. Sudan, Tuesday, October 14, at 2:00 p.m. CT
• Somalia vs. Mozambique, Tuesday, October 14, at 11:00 a.m. CT

**Concacaf**

In our neck of the woods, the Final Round of qualifiers is set to continue. Surprise group leaders Suriname will be looking to establish some control of Group A, while Honduras will look to hold off the likes of Costa Rica and Haiti in a strong Group C. Jamaica are sitting pretty at the top of Group B, as they’re currently the only team with six points. The battle for the region’s last three automatic bids is heating up, and though they won’t be decided during this break, the picture might become a little clearer. Or not — it could be pure chaos. That’s why we love it.

How to watch: Paramount+

Matchday 3

• Honduras vs. Costa Rica, Thursday, October 9, at 9:00 p.m. CT
• Suriname vs. Guatemala, Friday, October 10, at 4:00 p.m. CT
• Curaçao vs. Jamaica, Friday, October 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT

Matchday 4

• Honduras vs. Haiti, Monday, October 13, at 7:00 p.m. CT
• Panama vs. Suriname, Tuesday, October 14, at 8:00 p.m. CT

**UEFA**

Over in Europe, eight teams could potentially book their spots in next summer’s tournament if they take care of business during this window. Here we go: Croatia, France, Slovakia, Switzerland, England, Norway, Portugal, and Spain are all on deck to win their groups, making them the potential first batch of UEFA sides to join the list. I’d keep a close eye on Groups C, G, and H, though, where the races for the top spot will likely extend beyond this window. Robin Lod and Finland are just three points back from the lead in Group G, and with a matchup against the group-leading Netherlands, this window will be huge for their tournament hopes.

How to watch: Disney+, FOX Sports

Matchday 3

• Finland vs. Lithuania, Thursday, October 9, at 11:00 a.m. CT
• Scotland vs. Greece, Thursday, October 9, at 1:45 p.m. CT
• Sweden vs. Switzerland, Friday, October 10, at 1:45 p.m. CT

Matchday 4

• Netherlands vs. Finland, Sunday, October 12, at 8:00 a.m. CT
• Denmark vs. Greece, Sunday, October 12, at 1:45 a.m. CT
• Wales vs. Belgium, Monday, October 13, at 1:45 p.m. CT

Friendlies

While the rest of the world fights for their right to play in America next summer, both North and South American federations will be taking this time to play some friendly tune-up matches. Your USMNT has brought together a strong lineup for a pair of outings, with the likes of Canada and New Zealand following a similar plan to jumpstart their preparations for 2026.

How to watch: FIFA+, Peacock, OneSoccer (depends on the match, of course)

• Poland vs. New Zealand, Thursday, October 9, at 1:45 p.m. CT
• Canada vs. Australia, Friday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m. CT
• USA vs. Ecuador, Friday, October 10 , at 7:30 p.m. CT
• Norway vs. New Zealand, Tuesday, October 14, at 11:00 a.m. CT
• Colombia vs. Canada, Tuesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m. CT
• USA vs. Australia, Tuesday, October 14, at 8:00 p.m. CT

THE PERFECT PLAN IS HERE. Wednesday morning, you’re covered: CAF qualifying at 8:00 a.m., then switch over to AFC qualifying until about 1-ish. Then, go run around for a while, rest, and get back up for a big Thursday. CAF in the morning, UEFA midday, and Concacaf at night. Sleep. Do the same thing on Friday. Sleep if you can, BUT YOU’LL BE TOO AMPED UP ON INTERNATIONAL SOCCER. Scrap any plans you were putting together for this weekend — you’re watching soccer now. You’re watching it today. And tomorrow. And tomorrow. And tomorrow…