Best International Games to Look Forward to This Month

The final international break of 2024 is here with all the confederations looking to wrap up their business until they can pick it up once again in March 2025.

In South America and Oceania, World Cup qualifyíng goes on and many nations will learn their fate, while African football teams will focus on winning a slot at the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025.

Also, Nations League football continues in UEFA, with some big matches scheduled to entertain fans.

Today EPLNews brings you the five key international games to look forward to as the November break rolls around.

Venezuela vs Brazil (14 November)

Brazil were without Vinicius Jr. in October and won both of their FIFA World Cup qualifier fixtures. Prior to that, the Real Madrid attacker was part of Brazil squads that struggled to impress, leading to backlash from the fans on the manager Dorival Junior.

He is back in the fold now after a topsy-turvy few weeks which saw him snubbed for Rodri at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony, and lose with Real Madrid in the El Clasico and to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League. His Brazil performances have left much to be desired but now, he has the chance to show that he can be just as important for the Samba Boys as he is for Real Madrid.

Greece vs England (14 November)

England lost in embarrassing fashion to Greece last month and the return leg is finally here. This time, it will be played in Greece, which means the game is Greece’s to lose.

The big problem is the eight squad changes that the Three Lions have had to make at the last minute, thanks to fatigue from fixture congestion affecting most of the players that were initially called up.

Names like Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden have had to pull out of the window, leaving Lee Carsley without his preferred squad.

Greece is their first challenge and it will be interesting to witness how the interim England boss handles the team without his heavy hitters.

San Marino vs Gibraltar (15 November)

When football fans think of San Marino football, what comes to mind is effort. Despite being minnows in world football, the little nation shows up and gives their all against any opponent. That effort paid off in the September international window when they finally got a win after 20 years of losing.

The November international break comes with a promise of making it to League C in the UEFA Nations League if they defeat Gibraltar, a fellow minnow side. Gibraltar, too, could move up to League C with an away win. San Marino still have a chance to go to League C if they draw against Gibraltar, however, but the team will have to do something that they have never done in the history of their football team: win away from home against Liechtenstein.

Italy vs France (17 November)

For the second straight international window, there will be no Kylian Mbappé. This is exactly why this fixture will be interesting to watch. Also, Italy thrashed France in Paris in September and Les Bleus will be out for revenge.

Didier Deschamps will need a miracle to stop the momentum that Luciano Spaletti is gathering with this generation of the Azzurri, and this miracle could be the difference between his continuity in the role and his permanent replacement, which has actually been a long time coming.

Benin Republic vs Nigeria (14 November)

Followers of African football will be more interested in this match for Nigeria than for Benin Republic, who will be playing hosts for this qualifier fixture. This is because the Super Eagles were unable to play against Libya back in October for several reasons, some of which almost became issues of national security between both nations.

Nigeria will also welcome back Victor Osimhen, who was left out of the October squad due to injury. He has been one of the best performing attackers in Europe this season despite playing in Turkey with Galatasaray. Together with another high flyer, Ademola Lookman, he is set to star once again for his national team and all eyes will be on him for this reason.