International soccer is making its return, ushering in a fresh World Cup cycle with the prominent stars ready to shine once more. This is the first international break since the World Cup, allowing teams to play up to four matches over the next three weeks, while most domestic leagues are on pause until October 9.
The Nations League kicks off on Thursday, coinciding with the start of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the debut of several new coaches. Lionel Messi has one final match with Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo remains part of Portugal’s squad, and both the U.S. and Mexico are seizing the opportunity to test their youth players.
After announcing his retirement from international soccer, Messi will be honored with a farewell match against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6. Organizing this farewell was a challenge, as the Argentine federation had to ensure they could find a willing opponent, all while navigating a FIFA sanction that may restrict the crowd size at their initial games.
Meanwhile, at the National team level for Argentina, Messi finished the World Cup with eight goals but has not scored in the last three outings. The squad is now under the guidance of Lionel Scaloni, who faces the significant task of determining who will step into the iconic No. 10 role.
Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, will see Ronaldo included in the team for new coach Jorge Jesus’s inaugural matches, starting with a home game against Wales. Under the new leadership, Portugal is looking to recover from its World Cup exit, where they were eliminated by the eventual champions, Spain.
Spain, crowned World Champions, is ready to defend its title and begins the Nations League with a match against England at Wembley, revisiting a recent final matchup. With a solid core remaining intact since Euro 2024, they enter the tournament as strong favorites.
In this new cycle, France is eager to showcase Kylian Mbappé after his stellar World Cup performance. Under the guidance of Zidane, who replaces Deschamps, France will play multiple matches, including two against Belgium.
Additionally, Norway will take to the field with Erling Haaland leading the charge as they face Denmark, followed by tough matches against Portugal. Both players, Mbappé and Haaland, will be seeking to guide their respective teams towards success in this upcoming phase.
New coaches like Jürgen Klopp and Xavi Hernández are set to lead their national teams as Germany faces the Netherlands. Klopp, stepping into his first national team role, has assembled a 44-man squad prioritizing development and success.
In the Americas, Mexico’s Rafael Márquez is also initiating his tenure against Colombia, while the U.S. prepares for a significant match with their rivals, Mexico, on October 3. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. aims to develop younger talents, preparing for future tournaments and Olympic qualifications, with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan highlighted as one of the standout prospects.
This new chapter for both the U.S. and Mexico could shape the future stars of these national teams.
Fan Take: The return of international soccer means exciting opportunities for young talents to emerge and fill the shoes of legends like Messi and Ronaldo. The development and success of these burgeoning players could have a profound impact on the future of the sport, igniting passion and interest in soccer across the globe.
Source: www.foxsports.com
