10:48 AM ET
The countdown is on to the start of the World Cup in Qatar, with the host nation kicking it all off on Nov. 20 when they take on Ecuador.
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All 32 finalists are making their closing plans for the tournament, hoping that star players head into the World Cup in top form and don’t get struck down by injury. Away from that, there are plenty of players desperately hoping to break into their country’s 26-man squad, which has to be named by Nov. 13.
– World Cup finals bracket and fixtures schedule
Each week, we’ll take a look at the favourites to see how they are shaping up and also check in with other nations as their players either shine or struggle.
The final friendlies and UEFA Nations League fixtures before the World Cup have taken place. How are the teams and players looking?
Jump to: England | United States | Argentina | Brazil | France | Germany | Spain | Portugal | Netherlands | Belgium | Mexico | Ghana | Cameroon | Morocco | Tunisia | Senegal | Australia | IR Iran | South Korea | Japan | Uruguay
ENGLAND Nations League results: Italy 1-0 England, England 3-3 Germany STOCK CLIMBING
Jude Bellingham :Phil Foden was one of England’s better performers, but Bukayo Saka ‘s lively cameo against Germany leaves the battle to partner Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling up front in Southgate’s 3-4-3 system finely poised. Luke Shaw justified his manager’s faith against Germany and is the front-runner to start at left wing-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold :Kieran Trippier is ahead of the Liverpool defender in England’s seemingly bottomless list of high quality right(-wing)-backs. That effectively means Alexander-Arnold is fourth choice behind Reece James , Kyle Walker and Trippier, making his spot in Qatar look very doubtful. Harry Maguire continues to enjoy Southgate’s support, but being at fault for two of Germany’s goals will only increase the wider scrutiny on the Manchester United centre-back.
– Olley: England’s players still believe in Southgate – Ogden: England fail to prove they’ll contend for the World Cup
UNITED STATES International friendly results: Japan 1-0 USA, Saudi Arabia 0-0 USA STOCK CLIMBING
Matt Turner :Arsenal goalkeeper was about the only U.S. player to come out with this reputation enhanced following a 2-0 defeat to Japan and a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. The Arsenal keeper was sharp and did plenty to keep the U.S. in both matches. Was it enough to stake a claim to the starting goalkeeper position? Manager Gregg Berhalter was tepid in his praise and still seems to have a soft spot for Middlesbrough keeper Zack Steffen , but Turner is certainly making the decision difficult with his performances.
ARGENTINA International friendly results: Argentina 3-0 Honduras, Jamaica 0-3 Argentina STOCK CLIMBING
Julian Alvarez Jamaica . The Manchester City striker linked up well with second-half substitute Lionel Messi , who scored two late goals, which could bode well for the World Cup.
BRAZIL International friendly results: Brazil 3-0 Ghana, Brazil 5-1 Tunisia STOCK CLIMBING
Pedro : Pedro , the leading scorer in the Copa Libertadores. He was called up to the squad for the September friendlies, but he had to sit on the bench for the game against Ghana and also the first half of Tuesday’s match against Tunisia. On he came at half-time with the game already won, Brazil 4-1 ahead and Tunisia a man down. This could have worked in his favour — the game would clearly be taking place in and around the Tunisia penalty area, where Pedro is strongest. The possible problem was that, with everything decided, the intensity of the match would drop off. This was surely the case, and Pedro had few opportunities to shine. He had a couple of dangerous headers, but was hardly involved in the buildup play. But he had his moment. When the ball looped to him he met it with a characteristically well-taken volley to score a goal that almost certainly seals his place in the squad for Qatar.
FRANCE Nations League results: France 2-0 Austria, Denmark 2-0 France STOCK CLIMBING
Olivier Giroud : France against Austria , at almost 36, and he showed again what he could do for this team. Coach Didier Deschamps is still not sure about calling him up for the World Cup squad, but at least the AC Milan striker has given him a lot of food for thought, even if he was more disappointing in the defeat to Denmark — like the whole team.
Youssouf Fofana :
Paul Pogba N’Golo Kante :Aurelien Tchouameni is very talented too but they are not at the same level yet, as we saw against Denmark.
GERMANY Nations League results: Germany 0-1 Hungary, England 3-3 Germany STOCK CLIMBING
Kai Havertz : England , Havertz gave coach Hansi Flick food for thought in terms of how to configure his attack at the World Cup. Havertz at centre forward could end up being the preferred solution in Qatar .
Jamal Musiala :
SPAIN Nations League results: Spain 1-2 Switzerland, Portugal 0-1 Spain STOCK CLIMBING
Alvaro Morata :Atletico Madrid striker capped a decent performance against Portugal on Tuesday with the only goal in a 1-0 win to take his tally for Spain to 27 in 57 caps.
Nico Williams :Switzerland , Williams, the younger brother of Athletic Club teammate Inaki, helped change the game off the bench against Portugal. His ability to run at the opposition posed a different threat after a one-dimensional performance from Spain for the first 70 minutes. He also set up Morata’s winner with a deft header back across the box to stake his claim for a place in Qatar in what was his first camp with Spain.
Rodri :Barcelona midfield trio of Sergio Busquets , Pedri and Gavi , but Manchester City ‘s Rodri will be giving the Spain coach a headache, and he was one of the best players against Portugal. There are no doubts about his place in the squad, but can he make his way into the XI? Veteran full-backs Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba also strengthened their cases for going to the World Cup.
PORTUGAL Nations League results: Czech Republic 0-4 Portugal, Portugal 0-1 Spain STOCK CLIMBI NG
Diogo Dalot : Portugal ‘s 4-0 thrashing of Czech Republic in the UEFA Nations League. Dalot will continue to be second choice to Joao Cancelo but enhanced his reputation offensively at least. Cancelo, who was suspened against the Czechs and returned for the defeat to Spain , has never really reproduced his club form with Manchester City at international level, but is still expected to play in Qatar .
Ruben Dias :Danilo Pereira against Czech Republic and Spain. The Man City star was effective and could yet get the nod in Qatar.
NETHERLANDS Nations League results: Poland 0-2 Netherlands, Netherlands 1-0 Belgium STOCK CLIMBING
Remko Pasveer :Jasper Cillessen of NEC Nijmegen will be Van Gaal’s first choice in Qatar.
Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber :
Cody Gakpo :
BELGIUM Nations League results: Belgium 2-1 Wales, Netherlands 1-0 Belgium STOCK CLIMBING
Kevin De Bruyne :Belgium , as we saw in the loss against the Netherlands (1-0) and when his magic doesn’t work, not much works for the Belgians. He will need support at the World Cup, but if he gets there fully fit and on top form, he will carry this team.
Amadou Onana : Everton midfielder has made a good start in his Premier League career, and he had a chance to prove his progress with the national team and he did just that against the Dutch with a very solid performance, despite the defeat. He is still young and has a lot to learn but he complements Axel Witsel very well.
Michy Batshuayi : Romelu Lukaku and with Dries Mertens and Charles De Ketelaere on the bench, Batshuayi had to make the most of his game time, and he did with one goal and an assist against Wales . It was tougher against the Netherlands, and he came off at half-time but he had a positive international break.
MEXICO International friendly results: Mexico 1-0 Peru, Mexico 2-3 Colombia STOCK CLIMBING
Alexis Vega : Colombia on Tuesday night, one silver-lining is the inspiring performance from Vega on the left wing. Along with his goal, the 24-year-old was brilliant with his movement and passing in the final third, arguably having the best individual performance from a Mexican player in the international break. Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino is a believer as well. After slipping up and saying that the Guadalajara player “could be a starter in the World Cup,” Martino quickly took steps back on revealing any possible final 26-man roster secrets: “Well, that is if I take him.”
GHANA International friendly results: Brazil 4-0 Ghana, Nicaragua 0-1 Ghana STOCK CLIMBING
Inaki Williams :Mohammed Kudus was one of the highlights of an international window that brought the Black Stars down to earth, and there’s little doubt now that the Athletic Club stalwart will be a key player in Qatar.
CAMEROON International friendly results: Cameroon 0-2 Uzbekistan, South Korea 1-0 Cameroon STOCK CLIMBING
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa :Cameroon side became even more apparent in his absence, with a series of would-be replacements for the rested Napoli man only serving to demonstrate how inferior they are. Beveren’s Georges Mandjeck was jittery against Uzbekistan , Martin Hongla of Hellas Verona struggled to impose himself against South Korea, while Samuel Oum Gouet of Mechelen was consistently ruffled by the intense press. Zambo Anguissa should be the first name on coach Rigobert Song’s teamsheet.
MOROCCO International friendly results: Morocco 2-0 Chile, Paraguay 0-0 Morocco STOCK CLIMBING
Hakim Ziyech :Chelsea forward had announced his international retirement in February when it became clear that the Moroccan FA were planning to stick with then-head coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who he had fallen out with. However, a change in the dugout led to Ziyech’s return, and he stepped straight into a key role. Against Chile , Morocco enjoyed the Ziyech of old — lively, inventive, confident, and making a major defensive contribution as well. Welcome back!
TUNISIA International friendly results: Comoros 0-1 Tunisia, Brazil 5-1 Tunisia STOCK CLIMBING
Taha Yassine Khenissi :
SENEGAL International friendly results: Bolivia 0-2 Senegal, Senegal 1-1 IR Iran STOCK CLIMBING
Boulaye Dia :Famara Diedhiou who started the victorious Africa Cup of Nations final, but as the Turkey-based striker works his way back to full fitness, Dia was handed an opportunity to impress. His goal against Bolivia, coupled with a diligent, proactive pressing display against Iran, bodes well for his chances of starting against Netherlands.
AUSTRALIA International friendly results: Australia 1-0 New Zealand, New Zealand 0-2 Australia STOCK CLIMBING
Jason Cummings
Thomas Deng
IRAN International friendly results: IR Iran 1-0 Uruguay, Senegal 1-1 IR Iran STOCK CLIMBING
Ehsan Hajsafi :
SOUTH KOREA International friendly results: South Korea 2-2 Costa Rica, South Korea 1-0 Cameroon STOCK CLIMBING
Hwang Hee-Chan Costa Rica , the fact that Hwang was also on the scoresheet would have delighted South Korea coach Paulo Bento. Hwang has faced a real battle to force his way into the Wolves starting XI and is yet to score for his club this season, so it was pertinent that he showed he has not lost his scoring touch for the Taegeuk Warriors.
JAPAN International friendly results: Japan 2-0 United States, Japan 0-0 Ecuador STOCK CLIMBING
Daichi Kamada :Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa exited the international stage, Kamada is slowly but surely emerging as a genuine option. Already with four goals in just five starts for Eintracht Frankfurt in the new Bundesliga season, the 26-year-old continued his free-scoring ways with the opener in a 2-0 win over United States and could make the No. 10 position his by the time the World Cup comes around.
URUGUAY International friendly results: IR Iran 1-0 Uruguay, Canada 0-2 Uruguay STOCK CLIMBLING
Nicolas De La Cruz :
