International fixtures to watch during the September 2021 break
The World Cup qualification process continues this month as we take our first international break of the 2021/22 season.
Every European side will play up to three competitive fixtures, continuing qualifying journeys that have so far been perfect for some, good for others, and predictably calamitous for a few.
Here are some matches to keep an eye out for during this international break.
When is it played? Wednesday 1 September
Where is it played? Parken, Copenhagen
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Main Event
Scotland didn’t have the best European Championships this summer, but they did start their World Cup qualification group well back in March. Steve Clarke’s side are currently unbeaten after three matches, beating Faroe Islands 4-0 after two draws with Austria and Israel.
Hope to continue a decent run, however, may be limited given their hosts on Wednesday night. Denmark have started Group H with a 100% record after their three openers, scoring 14 and conceding none. They’ll also be lifted by what turned out to be a stunning Euro 2020 journey all the way to the final four in July – it won’t be an easy task for the Scots.
When is it played? Wednesday 1 September
Where is it played? Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Red Button
Whatever game Erling Haaland is involved in is worth a watch.
The frighteningly tenacious goal machine hasn’t kicked off his World Cup qualification in the same blistering fashion as his domestic season, failing to notch a goal in Norway’s opening three games. However, he is still integral to his nation and will hope to inspire his colleagues to their third victory in four Group G outings, having had a 3-0 loss to Turkey sandwiched by wins over Gibraltar and Montenegro.
They face a Netherlands side with a new face at the helm. Louis van Gaal takes charge of his country after Frank de Boer’s departure.
They’ll be boosted by the return of captain Virgil Van Dijk and will be confident of quelling the threat of Haaland while also being strong in attack, having already notched 11 goals thus far.
When is it played? Thursday 2 September
Where is it played? Friends Arena, Solna
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Premier League
Admittedly, if you watched these two side’s group stage fixture at Euro 2020, you may not be chomping at the bit to catch their next meeting. That 0-0 draw wasn’t exactly mesmerising viewing, but they are two big sides on the European stage.
Sweden should be encouraged by a decent Euro 2020 performance as well as the fact they’ve won two from two in Group B so far, while the rest of Spain’s European Championships suggested a very bright future for some very promising players – it could be tight, but it should be fun.
When is it played? Thursday 2 September
Where is it played? Puskas Arena, Budapest
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? ITV
The Three Lions return to action on Thursday to take on a Hungary side that surprised a few this summer. Marco Rossi’s side did themselves incredibly proud in the group of death, picking up two draws with tournament favourites France and a much-fancied Germany.
They proved that spirit can get you far in football and, with the return of their star man Dominik Szoboszlai, they’ll likely be a better team than they were back in June at the Euros.
England will inevitably go in as favourites however, narrowly losing out in the final of this summer’s Euro 2020 in heartbreaking fashion. Gareth Southgate’s also head into these World Cup qualifiers top of Group I having not dropped a point so far.
When is it played? Saturday 4 September
Where is it played? NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kiev
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Premier League
It will be key for France to move on from their disastrous Euro 2020 campaign with some wins over the next week. Their second fixture of the international break is a trip to Ukraine, who progressed to the quarter-finals of the European Championships – one step further than Les Bleus.
France are top of Group D, having won their previous two, although drew at home to Ukraine in the opening game. Andriy Shevchenko’s men will be keen to build on that and get their first win of the campaign, so far having drawn all three of their matches.
When is it played? Saturday 4 September
Where is it played? Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen
What time is kick off? 17:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Red Button
As well as friendlies against Serbia and Luxembourg from Group A of European qualification, Felix Sanchez’s Qatar go up against Portugal in preparation for next year’s World cup on home soil.
Fernando Santos‘ men have so far gathered seven points from their opening three games and are top on goal difference. Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to carry on his goal-scoring form on the international stage, with his golden boot-worthy showing at Euro 2020 moving him on to 109 Portugal goals.
When is it played? Sunday 5 September
Where is it played? St. Jakob-Park, Basel
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Football
Two sides who will have come out of Euro 2020 in high spirits – one more than the other, of course – face off in Group C on Sunday night. Switzerland reached their first ever quarter-final of a European Championship after knocking out reigning world champions France in the last 16, and will head into this international break full of confidence with a 100% record thus far in qualifying.
Italy will be favourites, though. Roberto Mancini’s side have just won Euro 2020, are unbeaten in three years (34 matches), and sit top of their World Cup qualification group with a perfect record having played a game more than the Swiss.
When is it played? Sunday 5 September
Where is it played? King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Red Button
Belgium will be favourites to top Group E, although have already dropped points at the hands of Czech Republic. The Red Devils did follow that result up with an 8-0 thumping of Belarus in March, however.
The Czechs will be hopeful, though. They reached the last eight of this summer’s European Championships, matching Belgium, and boast their own attacking threats such as Patrik Schick, who has followed up his stunning Euro 2020 showing with a strong start to the 2021/22 season for Bayer Leverkusen.
When is it played? Tuesday 7 September
Where is it played? Groupama Stadium, Lyon
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Red Button
Les Bleus conclude their international break with a game against Finland.
Considering Didier Deschamps‘ men are four points clear at the top of Group D and five clear of Finland in third spot, you may think this is a foregone conclusion. But the current World Cup holders have had their problems with the Scandinavian outfit in the past.
Their last visit to France resulted in a shock 2-0 victory so, a year on from that, and this tie is well worth a watch.
When is it played? Tuesday 7 September
Where is it played? Johan Cruijff Arena, Amsterdam
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? Sky Sports Red Button
A huge clash in Group G takes place at the back end of this international as Netherlands host Turkey.
Louis van Gaal’s side find themselves second in the table after losing 4-2 to Turkey on the opening matchday, so revenge is what the Oranje will be looking for in this one.
Supposed dark horses for Euro 2020 Turkey, on the other hand, need to bounce back in style following a disastrous showing this summer. They have the platform to qualify for next year’s World Cup, currently occupying pole position with seven points from their first three matches.
When is it played? Wednesday 8 September
Where is it played? PGE Narodowy, Warsaw
What time is kick off? 19:45 (BST)
What TV channel is it on? ITV
The international break rounds off in style for England as they travel to Poland to face a side containing the best goal scorer on the continent.
Despite his ridiculous exploits for Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski failed to get Poland out of the group stages.
Poland currently only sit fourth in their World Cup qualifying group too, having picked up four points so far. England can continue a 100% record, having scored seven and conceded just once in wins against San Marino, Albania and, most recently, Poland at Wembley in the return fixture.