Eric Garcia's omission from the Spain squad is surprising given his excellent season with Barcelona, raising concerns about his future in the national team ahead of the World Cup.
I think Gio was fantastic in November with us. I think everyone praised him in his game against Paraguay, and then in the way that he was involved and committed with the team. And with the national team, I think I was really happy with the aspect and the factor that he was involved.
We have spent the last 18 months developing the player pool so we can be prepared to make the correct decisions for the World Cup roster, and this is another valuable opportunity. We must treat these games like they are a part of the World Cup, and what is most important is that the players bring the right mentality and commitment to the group.
The call arrives right after one of Raphinha's best nights of the season. Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-2 and the Brazilian finished with three goals, his third hat trick since Hansi Flick took over. The first came from the penalty spot after a move he started himself, flicking a clever backheel into João Cancelo's run before the defender was brought down.
England will play Uruguay and Japan at Wembley in March in their final two games before head coach Thomas Tuchel chooses his squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions will face Uruguay on Friday, 27 March before taking on Japan on Tuesday, 31 March, with Tuchel scheduled to announced his squad in May. "We are really pleased to have these two fixtures confirmed as our World Cup year takes shape," said Tuchel.
The Germany national team will play a friendly match against Switzerland in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup. The game will be played in Basel, Switzerland, on the 27th of March. It is one of the two friendlies to be played in the March international window. Originally, Germany was supposed to play against Ivory Coast, but the game was canceled after the two sides drew each other in the World Cup group stage.
AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams was taken off the United States men's national team squad for upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay after crashing into teammate Adam Smith in the third minute of their 4-0 loss to Aston Villa. U.S. Soccer confirmed his absence on Monday, along with that of Columbus Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki. In their places, LAFC midfielder Timmy Tillman was called up by USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and will join training camp in Philadelphia on Monday.
Melissa Andreatta has handed Scotland Under-23 defender Georgia Brown her first A squad call-up as the head coach names her squad for this month's friendlies against Morocco and Switzerland. Brown, 23, who plays in the USL Super League for Sporting Club Jacksonville, made her under-23s debut in May and impressed in wins over Iceland. The towering centre-back is one of four changes from Andreatta's first squad as boss earlier this year.
FAW Wales will play their first game in front of a Rodney Parade crowd for six years when they host Poland on Tuesday, 28 October (19:45 GMT). The match in Newport will come three days after Rhian Wilkinson's side face Australia in another friendly at Cardiff City Stadium. Wales boss Wilkinson has suggested some senior players may retire in October having finally had the opportunity to play at a major tournament, Euro 2025.
The US men's national team has adapted its pre-Gold Cup training roster by adding new players due to injuries to key individuals, aiming for success in upcoming friendlies.
