As September 2025 rolls in, football fans around the world are bracing themselves for a whirlwind of international fixtures, with leagues from England’s Championship to Major League Soccer hitting pause so players can don their national colors. The break in domestic action might have some club supporters groaning, but for many, it’s a golden opportunity to track their favorite stars as they battle for World Cup qualification and pride on the global stage.
Across England’s fiercely competitive Championship, every single club—yes, all 24—has at least one player away on senior international duty this month. That’s right, whether you’re rooting for Birmingham City, Wrexham, or any team in between, you’ll find your club’s colors represented on pitches from Europe to the Americas. Birmingham City, Wrexham, and Watford top the charts, each sending six senior players to their respective national squads. Not to be outdone, Watford also boasts five more at the Under-21 level, a testament to the club’s depth and international reach.
For Birmingham City, the international window is a busy one. Manager Chris Davies will be without six key players, with a mix of World Cup qualifiers and friendlies on the docket. Young goalkeeper James Beadle is also on Under-21 duty with England. The club was set to see Demarai Gray represent Jamaica, but, in a last-minute twist, Gray was ruled out with injury just days before the action kicked off. It’s a tough blow for both club and country, especially with Jamaica entering a crucial double-header this week.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Blackburn Rovers are sending four senior players abroad, including recent signing Andri Gudjohnsen. Their young prospect, Igor Tyjon, is also linking up with England’s Under-18s. Bristol City fans will keep a close eye on captain Jason Knight, who’s off to add to his impressive tally of 39 caps for the Republic of Ireland. Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic’s trio of internationals are all heading to Jamaica, a nod to the growing influence of Caribbean talent in English football.
Coventry City’s Frank Lampard will be hoping his two Welsh internationals return unscathed, while Derby County’s summer signings and Ebou Adams will be busy representing their nations. Hull City’s Kasey Palmer is another name to watch, joining Jamaica for a pivotal pair of matches. Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Middlesbrough are all contributing multiple players to international squads, with new faces like Jordan James (Leicester) and Sverre Nypan (Middlesbrough) eager to make their mark on the global scene.
Norwich City’s Josh Sargent is back with the USA squad after a recall, while Oxford United’s Mark Harris and Portsmouth’s international contingent—including Luke Le Roux and Adrian Segecic—will be hoping to impress. Preston North End’s Thierry Small has earned a spot with England’s Under-21s, and QPR’s new signing Isaac Hayden joins club captain Jimmy Dunne on national team duty. Even Sheffield Wednesday, with their famously lean squad, are sending two players abroad, including Bailey Cadamarteri, who’s received his first-ever call-up to Jamaica.
Southampton’s Republic of Ireland trio, featuring star signing Finn Azaz, and Damion Downs, now with the USA squad, highlight the club’s international flavor. Stoke City has three players away, though Maksym Talovierov was a notable omission from Ukraine’s squad. Swansea City’s Welsh representatives and Adam Idah (Republic of Ireland) round out a truly global Championship exodus.
Watford, with five senior and five Under-21 call-ups, leads the way in international representation. West Brom’s three internationals include new signing Chris Mepham, while Wrexham celebrates a milestone: three players called up for Wales, the club’s first such honor since 2010. Dom Hyam, meanwhile, joins Scotland’s national team, capping a remarkable rise for the club and player alike.
Across the Atlantic, the MLS regular season is also on hold as the international window opens. Minnesota United FC fans will be tracking Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Robin Lod (Finland), Joseph Rosales (Honduras), Michael Boxall (New Zealand), and Carlos Harvey (Panama) as they represent their nations. Despite the disruption, the consensus is clear: “A healthy dose of national team duty is pure medicine for any player in search of motivation,” as one observer put it. With the World Cup just a year away, every competitive minute counts.
Speaking of the World Cup, the September window is absolutely packed with qualifiers. Only 13 of the 48 available spots for the 2026 tournament have been filled, leaving dozens of nations in a frantic race to secure their ticket. In Africa, nine groups are battling it out, with only the group winners guaranteed a place on the sport’s biggest stage. Heavyweights like Egypt, Morocco, and Ghana are all in action, and several groups feature high-stakes matchups that could seal a nation’s fate. Key fixtures include Chad vs. Ghana and Tunisia vs. Liberia on September 4, Morocco vs. Niger on September 5, and a trio of decisive games on September 9: DR Congo vs. Senegal, Cape Verde vs. Cameroon, and Gabon vs. Ivory Coast.
In the Concacaf region, it’s the start of the Third Round of qualifiers. Panama, Jamaica, Honduras, and Costa Rica are among the favorites to progress, with matches like Panama vs. Suriname (September 4), Haiti vs. Honduras (September 5), and Jamaica vs. Trinidad and Tobago (September 9) set to draw plenty of attention. Over in South America, CONMEBOL’s qualifying campaign is reaching its climax, with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia all on the verge of booking their tickets. Colombia vs. Bolivia and Paraguay vs. Ecuador will be watched closely on September 4, while Chile vs. Uruguay and Venezuela vs. Colombia round out the action on September 9.
Europe’s UEFA qualifiers are also in full swing, with matches spread across September 5, 7, and 8. Fans can look forward to Netherlands vs. Poland, Slovenia vs. Switzerland, Denmark vs. Scotland, and a Sunday showdown between Poland and Finland. With so many groups in play, the stakes couldn’t be higher for nations dreaming of a World Cup berth.
And let’s not forget the friendlies! Nations already qualified for the World Cup—or those simply looking to stay sharp—are lining up a series of exhibition matches. Dayne St. Clair and Canada take on Romania and Wales, while the USMNT, led by Mauricio Pochettino, faces South Korea and Japan. Michael Boxall and his New Zealand teammates have a home-and-away series against Australia, adding a dash of regional rivalry to the mix.
For fans eager to catch every moment, broadcasts are spread across FIFA+, Paramount+, DAZN, Disney+, FOX Sports, Peacock, and OneSoccer, depending on the match and region. With so much on the line and so many stars in action, this international window promises drama, heartbreak, and perhaps a few surprises.
As the dust settles on this action-packed week, club managers will be crossing their fingers for healthy returns, while supporters hope their players come back with a spring in their step. Whether you’re glued to the qualifiers, tracking your club’s internationals, or just enjoying the spectacle, there’s no denying the excitement that only international football can deliver. The world’s game is in full swing—and for now, all eyes are on the road to 2026.
