Top 10 matches to watch out for in October international break

Scotland will be eager to do the double over Spain

The eyes of football spectators around the world will now shift focus from club football to international football games. The October international break of the 2023-24 season is almost here. We bring you the best games in this October international break including bits of action from friendlies, UEFA European Championship Qualifying and CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

10. Algeria vs Egypt

Although they are grouped in different pots for the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, fans will get a chance to see the Algeria national football team face Mohamed Salah's Egypt. A friendly fixture on October 16 is set to be organised at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, UAE. The last time they faced each other was in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup. The game ended as a 1-1 draw.

9. Senegal vs Cameroon

Another exciting friendly encounter. October 17 will see the Senegal side face the Cameroon national football team at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, France. Both national football teams are recognised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Senegal ranks first in the FIFA ranking in the CAF zone while Cameroon is currently at ninth. The sight of Senegalese forward Sadio Mané going up against Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana can be entertaining.

8. Croatia vs Turkey

A Friday, 13 October fixture from Group D of the UEFA European Championship qualifiers. The game will be played at the beautiful Opus Arena as hosts Croatia take on Turkey's national football team. The home side have an excellent record in the group. In 4 games played, they are yet to lose. Turkey are also on the same 10-point tally but have played a game more and sits in second.

7. Portugal vs Slovakia

One of the interesting ties from 14 October. This is the reverse fixture and Slovakia will be looking to avoid another defeat. The previous encounter between Portugal and Slovakia ended 1-0 in favour of Cristiano Ronaldo's nation. The 2016 Euro winners are in an amazing 6 game-winning run in the Euro qualifiers Group J. Slovakia will be looking to put a dent in that perfect record and further solidify their current second-place position.

6. Austria vs Belgium

Another interesting 14 October encounter between two teams currently occupying the final tournament qualification spots for the Euro 2024. It is from Group F and is due to be held at Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria. After playing 5 games each, both sides are on 13 points. Belgium tops the table due to a better goal difference. Austria will be looking to make the most of the home advantage.

5. Peru vs Argentina

Wednesday 18 October brings an interesting opponent for the 2022 FIFA World Cup winners Argentina. In the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after two matchdays, Argentina are one of the two sides on a winning streak. The other nation is Brazil. The fifth-ranked side in the CONMEBOL FIFA rankings, Peru will be eager to get a win and improve on their position. The Estadio Nacional de Lima in Peru will host the event.

4. Spain vs Scotland

In Group A, we see Scotland lead the line in the UEFA EURO qualifiers after having played 5 games. They have been amazing and are on five consecutive wins in this qualifier fixtures. Even Spain suffered a 2-0 blow while travelling to Hampden Park, Scotland in March. In the September international break, Spain recorded 13 goals while conceding just once in two wins from the qualifying games. The game kicks off on 13 October.

3. Netherlands vs France

Two heavyweights, Netherlands and France will clash on 14 October. The Group B game from Euro qualifiers will see the reverse fixture played at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands. After France were denied the winning medal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals by Argentina, the French team let it all out in a 4-0 win against the Dutch side. Now the home side will be eager to seek revenge.

2. Uruguay vs Brazil

Another key event from the CONMEBOL 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers sees Uruguay host the second-ranked team in FIFA world ranking, Brazil. Neymar had his name etched in the history of Brazil after getting on a few records in the September international break. The Al-Hilal megastar will be eager to continue on it as he now also welcomed his newborn daughter with his Girlfriend Bruna Biancardi.

1. England vs Italy

18 October has the Italian national football team looking to spoil England manager Gareth Southgate's unbeaten party. The England team are the only side yet to face defeat in the qualifying games for 2024 Euro in Group C. Italy are at the second spot in the table and will be eager to end the unbeaten run in England's own backyard, the Wembley Stadium. England won the reverse fixture tie by 2-1 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Italy.