The October 2025 international break has been nothing short of electrifying, especially for football fans with their eyes fixed on the future stars of the game. With the 2026 World Cup looming on the horizon—set to take place across Canada, Mexico, and the USA—players from top European clubs have been representing their countries in crucial qualifiers and friendlies. Among them, young talents from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have been making headlines, either through their performances, leadership, or, unfortunately, their absence due to injuries.
For Paris Saint-Germain, the international window has been a whirlwind. Several PSG stars were called up to represent their nations, though the squad wasn't at full strength. Key players such as Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola were forced to miss out due to injuries, leaving fans and coaches alike hoping for their swift recovery. Meanwhile, others like Désiré Doué, Marquinhos, and Ousmane Dembélé are inching closer to a return, ramping up their recoveries after lengthy spells on the sidelines. Their potential comebacks could not be more timely, with both club and country needing their services in the coming months.
Portugal, always a team to watch, grabbed an essential 1-0 victory over Ireland in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The match, played on October 12, 2025, saw Vitinha and Nuno Mendes start, with Vitinha putting in a solid 60 minutes and Nuno Mendes holding the fort for the full 90. Gonçalo Ramos also made an appearance off the bench, featuring in the final five minutes. With this win, Portugal sits atop Group F and could secure their World Cup ticket with a victory over Hungary on October 14. The stakes could hardly be higher.
Ukraine delivered one of the most thrilling matches of the window, overcoming Iceland 5-3 in a goal-laden contest. Illia Zabarnyi played the entire 90 minutes, helping his side climb to second in Group D. Their next test comes swiftly, as they prepare to face Azerbaijan on October 13—a match that could shape their trajectory toward World Cup qualification.
Spain, never short on talent, dispatched Georgia 2-0 in another qualifier. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian star, featured for 69 minutes but couldn’t turn the tide for his nation. Georgia faces a do-or-die clash against Turkey on October 14, a game that could decide their World Cup fate. The pressure is on, and every minute counts at this stage of the qualifiers.
Across the Atlantic, the USA and Ecuador battled to a 1-1 draw in a friendly that served as valuable preparation for the World Cup. Willian Pacho was a constant presence for Ecuador, playing the full 90 minutes. Ecuador’s next challenge is a friendly against Mexico on October 15, giving them another opportunity to fine-tune their squad ahead of the summer’s main event.
France, always a powerhouse in international football, cruised to a 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes. Interestingly, no PSG players featured in the starting lineup or off the bench for Les Bleus on this occasion. Still, France sits comfortably atop their group and could punch their World Cup ticket with a win against Iceland on October 13. The French U21s also impressed, routing Faroe Island U21 by a whopping 6-0 margin in a Euro 2027 qualifier. Warren Zaire-Emery, called up to captain the side, led by example and played 63 minutes, further cementing his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in French football.
Elsewhere, Brazil showed their class with a resounding 5-0 win over Korea Republic in a friendly. Lucas Beraldo, representing Brazil, remained on the bench, while Kang-In Lee was a notable presence for South Korea, clocking 81 minutes in a tough outing. Both sides are already qualified for the World Cup, but these matches serve as vital preparation. Brazil’s next test comes against Japan on October 14, while South Korea faces Paraguay.
Russia edged past Iran 2-1 in a friendly, with Matvey Safonov playing the full match. Russia will look to build on this momentum when they face Bolivia in their next friendly. Every international break brings its share of drama, and this one is no different.
Amid the flurry of international fixtures, Bayern Munich’s Tom Bischof has emerged as a story worth following. The 19-year-old, who made his senior Germany debut against France back in June, has now added another feather to his cap. Over the October break, Bischof debuted for Germany’s U21 side and, in a twist that surprised many, was handed the captain’s armband for their UEFA European Championship qualifier against Greece. Despite the team’s 3-2 defeat, Bischof’s leadership and performance stood out.
Coach Antonio Di Salvo explained his decision to make Bischof captain, stating, “I like having a captain who plays in the center of the pitch and I had already noticed in training that Tom speaks up—he can address things directly when they’re not going well, but he also pushes the team in a positive way. That’s why we chose him.” With regular captains Finn Jeltsch and Aljoscha Kemlein sidelined by injury, Bischof’s prior experience as U19 captain and his Fritz Walter gold medal credentials made him a natural choice.
Di Salvo was full of praise after the match, noting, “He gave everything, and you could see his qualities—both in winning the ball and in pushing forward. Especially in the second half, he kept driving the team, building pressure, providing stability, and he also set up the 2–2 equaliser with his corner.” Bischof himself, while disappointed by the result, said, “I was really happy about that. Of course, I had hoped it would go a bit better.”
Germany U21’s defeat leaves them in third place in Group F of the UEFA European Championships qualification campaign, a precarious position with much work still to do. Their next match is a critical encounter against second-placed Northern Ireland in Belfast on October 14. Another lead-by-example performance from Bischof will be crucial if the team is to keep their qualification hopes alive.
As the international window continues, the storylines are as diverse as the nations involved. Injuries have forced some stars to watch from the sidelines, while others have seized the opportunity to step up and lead. With World Cup qualification on the line and young talents like Tom Bischof and Warren Zaire-Emery making waves, the stage is set for more drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments in the days ahead.
With decisive matches still to come, fans across the globe will be glued to their screens, eager to see which teams and players rise to the occasion as the road to the 2026 World Cup and the next European Championships heats up.
