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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. 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.
Euro 2024 qualifying games to watch
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 12 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Croatia vs Turkey, Thursday 12 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Ireland vs Greece, Friday 13 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Netherlands vs France, Friday 13 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Austria vs Belgium, Friday 13 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Portugal vs Slovakia, Friday 13 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Norway vs Spain, Sunday 15 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Belgium vs Sweden, Monday 16 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Portugal, Monday 16 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- England vs Italy, Tuesday 17 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Serbia vs Montenegro, Tuesday 17 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers to watch
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 12 October, 4:30 p.m ET.
- Argentina vs Paraguay, Thursday 12 October, 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Brazil vs Venezuela, Thursday 12 October, 8:30 p.m. ET.
- Ecuador vs Colombia, Tuesday 17 October, 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Uruguay vs Brazil, Tuesday 17 October, 8:00 p.m. ET.
- Peru vs Argentina, Tuesday 17 October, 8:00 p.m. ET.
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 when no competitive fixtures are scheduled, which is the case for the USMNT and Mexico in the October break.
- England vs Australia, Friday 13 October, 2:45 p.m ET.
- USMNT vs Germany, Saturday 14 October, 3:00 p.m. ET.
- Mexico vs Ghana, Saturday 14 October, 8:30 p.m. ET.
- France vs Scotland, Tuesday 17 October, 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Mexico vs Germany, Tuesday 17 October, 8:00 p.m. ET.
- USMNT vs Ghana, Tuesday 17 October, 8:30 p.m. ET,
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