October International Break: 7 Things to Keep an Eye on

The Premier League pauses for its second international break of the season, yet as always, many of the division’s most important players remain in action for their countries. EPLNews highlights the main storylines and what’s at stake across the globe.

England Nearing a Smooth World Cup Qualification

Thomas Tuchel’s England side have made their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign appear almost effortless. The Three Lions sit comfortably at the top of their group and could secure qualification before the Premier League resumes.

Two victories from their remaining three qualifying fixtures would guarantee England’s World Cup spot, though success in Latvia next week might already be enough, depending on other results. Tuchel’s team, featuring a host of Premier League stars, have triumphed in all five qualifiers so far, scoring 13 goals without conceding once.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has not conceded a competitive goal for England since October 2024, maintaining seven consecutive clean sheets. The national side will first take on Wales in a friendly on Thursday before travelling to Latvia, with Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly receiving his first senior call-up. The youngster replaces Chelsea captain Reece James, who withdrew due to injury.

Haaland Targeting His First Major Tournament

Erling Haaland’s astonishing scoring record extends well beyond club football. The Manchester City striker has netted 48 goals in 45 appearances for Norway and is currently in the best form of his career, scoring 18 goals already this season for club and country.

Among those goals were five in an 11–1 demolition of Moldova last month, helping Norway maintain a flawless record of five wins from five and establishing a six-point lead at the top of their qualifying group. Norway host Israel on Saturday before a friendly against New Zealand next Tuesday. They will, however, be without their captain, Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who sustained an injury during Saturday’s win over West Ham United.

Should other results favour them, Norway could secure qualification for the World Cup during this break — their first major tournament appearance since Euro 2000.

Norway’s Rise Could Cost Italy Dearly

Italy’s major tournament record over the past decade has been turbulent. After missing out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, they lifted the European Championship in 2020, only to fall in the Round of 16 while defending that title last year.

Their 2026 World Cup campaign began poorly with a 3–0 defeat to Norway, and a nervy 5–4 victory over Israel — sealed by a stoppage-time strike from Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali — has done little to ease the pressure. With 16 European nations set to qualify, including the 12 group winners, Italy sit six points behind Norway in Group I, though they do have a game in hand.

The 12 group runners-up will enter the playoffs, joined by the four best group winners from the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League who did not finish in the top two. These 16 sides will be drawn into four playoff paths, each with two one-legged semi-finals and a final, to determine the final four qualifiers. More details can be found on UEFA.com.

Italy must now win upcoming qualifiers against Estonia and Israel. Premier League players such as Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Spurs), Destiny Udogie (Spurs) and Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) face the daunting prospect of the playoffs—or worse—if results falter.

A Shorter Journey for Chris Wood

Norway’s friendly with New Zealand offers Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood a rare short-haul international trip. New Zealand also face Poland during this break, providing a serious test against European opposition.

Wood, New Zealand’s all-time top scorer, netted nine times in five Oceania qualifiers as the All Whites booked their place at a third World Cup — and their first since 2010. Those victories came against relatively modest opposition, including New Caledonia, Fiji and Tahiti. How they fare against stronger sides like Poland and Norway will be revealing. After scoring 20 Premier League goals last season, Wood has only found the net twice this term.

Swedish Stars Seeking Form

This summer’s Premier League transfer window saw Sweden heavily represented among the most expensive signings. Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle United to Liverpool broke the British transfer record, while Arsenal splashed out on Viktor Gyökeres and Newcastle recruited Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest.

With such attacking firepower, Sweden might have expected to breeze through World Cup qualification. Instead, they remain winless after losing to Kosovo and drawing with Slovenia. Form at club level has been similarly mixed: Isak is yet to score for Liverpool, while Elanga has struggled for a consistent place in Newcastle’s starting line-up. Though Arsenal have enjoyed an excellent start, winning eight of their first 10 matches, Gyökeres has gone six games without scoring, finding the net in just two of his 10 appearances.

African Sides Near Qualification Finish Line

In African qualifying, only Morocco and Tunisia have so far confirmed their places at the World Cup, with two matchdays remaining. The nine group winners qualify automatically, leaving seven more places up for grabs.

Egypt, led by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, hold a five-point cushion atop their group. Salah, last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner, has yet to rediscover his best form this campaign but remains pivotal. Ghana, powered by standout Premier League talents Mohammed Kudus (Spurs) and Antoine Semenyo (AFC Bournemouth), also look set to qualify.

DR Congo, seeking their first World Cup appearance since 1974 (when they competed as Zaire), are another side in contention. Their squad features Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland) and Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), though Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa is sidelined with a knee injury.

Nigeria Risk Shock Elimination

Three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners Nigeria, historically one of Africa’s strongest teams, have qualified for six of the last eight World Cups. Yet this time, they are in real danger of missing out.

Even maximum points in their final two fixtures — against Lesotho and Group C leaders Benin — may not be enough for the Super Eagles to claim top spot or even reach the playoffs. With South Africa currently occupying second place, Nigeria must improve to keep their hopes alive.

Failure to qualify would be a huge disappointment for their Premier League contingent, including Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest), Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford) and Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers).