Whether you love them or loathe them, international breaks have been with us for many a season and are here to stay, and here we are with the next one coming into view.
There are pros and cons when it comes to international breaks. The downside is for fans of clubs who are in a chase for a title, promotion, a European place or a play-off, particularly if your team is in form. For a squad stretched by injuries the break can be a blessing, and then there’s the upside…
The world’s best players and the top football nations are ready to do battle, with World Cup 2026 qualifiers and the business end of the UEFA Nations League on the agenda. There is some great international action promised and some stellar names on show; so, while the top domestic leagues take a break next week, let’s take a look at four of the biggest international games on offer.
Uruguay vs Argentina
I’ve picked three of the five top nations in the world to look at, according to the very latest FIFA World Rankings, and the very best team, Argentina have a top of the table clash against Uruguay in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are the top of the pile with Uruguay in 11th and La Albiceleste leads the qualification table by five points from Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay.
Both teams are sure fire qualifiers for the World Cup and the SBOTOP stats team have judged this match as the tightest of the week, with Uruguay priced at 2.58, Argentina at 2.55 and the draw at 2.68.
As part of Liverpool’s title chasing team Darwin Nunez will hope to star for Uruguay, after he suffered the disappointment of missing a penalty in the Reds’ Champions League shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain, while Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde is an influential figure behind the attack with Jose Gimenez marshalling the defence. He will have his work cut out against an attack which could feature his Atleti team-mate Julian Alvarez and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.
Brazil vs Colombia
The early World Cup 2026 betting odds rate Brazil as the most likely South American nation to win the tournament but, fifth in the CONMEBOL table the Selecao still has some work to do, and they will face fourth placed Colombia. At 1.69 to win this match the Brazilians should come through, though they will be aware of the dangers posed by Liverpool winger Luis Diaz and 21-year-old forward Jhon Duran, now playing in the Saudi Pro League for Al Nassr.
There were plenty of Brazil players in Champions League action this week, with Diaz’ team-mate Alison Becker in the nets for Liverpool while forwards Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior had a better night, as Real Madrid beat Atletico, also on penalties. Watch out also for Barcelona winger Raphinha who is in the form of his life.
Italy vs Germany
The UEFA Nations League is at the quarter final stage and the big guns are lining up to do battle, with Italy and Germany leading the way. Italy were in the most competitive group in the A League, finishing level on 13 points with France. After a period of transition the Azzzuri now have a well-balanced side with some big names in the group. Capocannoniere leader Mateo Retegui has scored 22 goals in 26 appearances for Atalanta while Sandro Tonali has come back strongly for Newcastle and Italy following his lengthy ban.
These two teams are placed ninth and tenth in the FIFA rankings and there is little to choose between them for this match with the Azzurri priced at 2.59 and Germany slightly lower at odds of 2.52, and star man Florian Wirtz will hope to swing this one for the Germans.
Netherlands vs Spain
This is a game we can ensure will be packed with UEFA Nations League 2025 highlights and another which is very close to call, with the Oranje priced at 2.61 and Spain at 2.46. As well as winning the 2024 European Championships la Roja won Nations League Group A4 by a clear eight points with five wins and a draw and they are, as we speak, the top dogs in Europe. And with the likes of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams in their ranks the future looks very bright for Spain. The Netherlands have star quality too, in the shape of the Liverpool trio of Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, while the red hot Justin Kluivert, banging the goals in for Bournemouth, will hope to get a start.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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