There are several matches awaiting us in September involving important national teams. Which one is the most anticipated?
Anatoly Romanov September 5, 2024, 13:10 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
There will be plenty of bright spots in the Nations League and in the 2026 World Cup qualification. Teams close to Russia are also playing.
Club tournaments have taken a breather and given way to national team competitions. Next week there will be a lot of interesting matches in the European Nations League and in the qualifying cycle for the 2026 World Cup (mainly in South America). Which game are you especially looking forward to?
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Take part in the voting and help form the rating. We have selected, in our opinion, all the most interesting matches, including the debut of Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov as head coach of the Kazakhstan national team. Write in the comments why you voted for this or that game.
The voting will rank the matches. The ranking depends entirely on the votes of the readers of the “Championate” and is formed online.
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Ranking: Which national team match are you most looking forward to?
Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images
France – Italy
France vs Italy is a classic of world football. Both teams disappointed at Euro 2024, so they must improve in the Nations League and in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé will probably go to the national team with special motivation after the Euro.
Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
Netherlands – Germany
The Netherlands and Germany are the favourites in the quartet of the A-League, along with Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the German national team lost its main goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who left the national team. In this match, Marc-André ter Stegen will have to pass a serious test.
Photo: Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Colombia-Argentina
A repeat of the recent Copa America final, but now as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifying cycle and on the Colombian national team’s court. John Córdoba, Kevin Castaño and their partners are seeking revenge for their defeat. The Colombians are in third place in the standings, just three points behind leaders Argentina.
Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images
Serbia – Spain
The reigning winner of the Nations League, Spain, is starting its title defence. I wonder who will receive more support in Russia: the Serbian brothers or the European champions? The game of the Spaniards led by Yamal is simply a pleasure!
Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
France – Belgium
Former Spartak coach Domenico Tedesco must prove that Belgium is capable of more than it did at Euro 2024. Even without Thibaut Courtois in goal, it will not be easy for the Belgians to qualify in a group with France, Italy and Israel.
Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images
Switzerland – Spain
The team of former Spartak coach Murat Yakin really liked Euro 2024. The hosts could pull off a surprise in their home game against the European champions and fight to get out of the group, which also includes Denmark and Serbia.
Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images
Portugal – Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo did not leave the Portuguese national team after the failed Euro 2024 and was called up for the Nations League matches. In the same group of League A, in addition to the favourites, Portugal and Croatia, Poland and Scotland are playing. Will Ronaldo finally score?
Photo: DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Argentina-Chile
Argentina are leading the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. However, they still have a game to play against traditionally uncomfortable rivals Chile, and even without Leo Messi (injured) and Ángel Di María (retired from the national team) in the lineup, the current world champions will face a test that they may not be able to handle.
Photo: Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Kazakhstan – Norway
Stanislav Cherchesov has a very difficult debut for the Kazakhstan national team. The task for the first home match is to face the opponent, among whom are stars such as Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. You need to jump over your head.
Photo: Eurasia Sports Images/Getty Images
Paraguay – Brazil
The Brazilian national team is in a very difficult position in the South American qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. We need to be in the top six and the Seleçao are in sixth place, just two points ahead of Paraguay. Fabian Balbuena and company are ready to bite the favourites on their field.
Photo: Levan Verdzeuli – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Georgia – Czech Republic
We have already seen this match at Euro 2024. On their own field, Georgia should not play against the Czech Republic, at least not worse than at the European Championship. Then there was a 1:1 draw.
Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images
Ireland – England
The English derby is always a hot one! Only for the matches against Ireland, the English should have been relegated from League A to League B. The hosts will give a warm welcome to their rival, who lost coach Gareth Southgate.
Photo: Alliance Images via Getty Images
Slovenia – Kazakhstan
The match against Slovenia will be the second for Stanislav Cherchesov in the Kazakhstan national team and the first away from home. In the qualifying round for Euro 2024, the defeat in Ljubljana was decisive for the Kazakhs in the group stage. Now we have to take revenge to hope to qualify from the group together with Slovenia, Norway and Austria.
Photo: ANP via Getty Images
Albania-Georgia
Georgia’s opponents in League Group B are three European Championship participants: Albania, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. Travelling to Albania promises to be very difficult. We expect courage from goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and the team’s main star Khvichi Kvaratskhelia.
Photo: Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Armenia – Latvia
The Armenian national team will start the fight for a ticket to League B with a match against Latvia. The rivals of the two former USSR republics in this group will be North Macedonia and the Faroe Islands. The Armenian team can do anything.
Photo: Athena Pictures/Getty Images
North Macedonia – Armenia
The away match in North Macedonia is perhaps the most difficult for the Armenian national team in the Nations League. The minimum task is not to concede. Eduard Spertsyan, Nair Tiknizyan, Georgy Harutyunyan and Ugochukwu Iwu, veterans of the RPL, will help the national team to cope with the pressure of the hosts.
