Debuts, comebacks and a Royal Blue face-off

Head coach Joachim Löw has called Suat Serdar up to the national first team for the first time. Schalke’s midfielder, who reached the final of the U21 European Championships in the summer, has been called-up for the friendly on Wednesday against Argentina, as well as the European Championship qualifier on Sunday against Estonia. Germany are currently sitting at the top of Group C with four wins from five games. However, Northern Ireland and the Netherlands are both still in contention.

Kabak’s potential debut, Matondo back in the squad

Ozan Kabak faces the prospect of making his first ever appearance for his country. The 19-year-old has been called-up by the Turkish national team coach, Senol Günes, for the games against Albania on Friday and in France on Monday. His side have performed well so far in their bid for qualification, winning five out of their first six games, landing them in second place in Group C, level on points with France.

Rabbi Matondo is back in the Wales squad again after withdrawing from the previous squad due to a foot injury. The Dragons are faced with two crucial games. They will first play Slovakia on Thursday, before hosting World Cup finalists Croatia three days later. Both teams are currently sitting above Wales in Group E, however Matondo and Co. have played one game less than the competition and could leapfrog Croatia at the top of the table with two wins.

The opening game of the CONCACAF Nations League

Weston McKennie and the US national team will play their first game of the CONCACAF Nations League against Gold Cup silver medallists Cuba on Saturday night. The island nation are currently sitting at the bottom of the group after losing both of their opening games to Canada, the USA’s second opponents of the international break.

Amine Harit and Salif Sané have been called up by their countries for the upcoming international friendlies. Morocco face Libya on Friday and Gabon on Tuesday, while Sané’s Senegal will play against Copa America champions Brazil on Thursday.

Schubert vs. Miranda

There will be a repeat of the U21 European Championship final as Germany taken on Spain. However, both teams now have a much different look to their squads with lots of players now over the age limit. One player that has remained in the team is Markus Schubert. The goalkeeper will join up with the new-look squad to face fellow teammate Juan Miranda in a friendly on Thursday.

Five days later, both Schalke players are in action in U21 World Cup qualifiers. Schubert and Germany will take on Bosnia Herzegovina, while Miranda’s Spain face Montenegro. Ahmed Kutucu is also in action, as Turkey’s U21 team travel to Austria for their qualifier on Friday.

Mercan called-up to the U20 squad

Levent Mercan has the opportunity to make his debut for the German U20 squad. Schalke’s home-grown talent has already played for the U19 squad in the past, but head coach Manuel Baum has promoted him to the U20 squad for the upcoming international matches against Poland on Thursday and Switzerland on Sunday.