As the international break begins on Wednesday, from the FIFA World Cup qualifiers to the UEFA Nations League, and friendly games, there are key matches that football fans must not miss.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
THE WHISTLER takes a look at the top five must-watch matches around the world in the first international break of the year.
Rwanda vs Nigeria (World Cup Qualifiers)
There is arguably no bigger match in the African series of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers than the clash between the Amavubi of Rwanda, and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Friday.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria, led by the newly-appointed Eric Chelle, have a must-win clash against Rwanda to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Failure to grab the maximum points will spell doom for the team, as they currently languish in the fifth position on the log with three points from four games, and they are yet to win in the qualifiers.
Rwanda, on the other hand, needs a victory to consolidate their top position, having earned seven points from four games, alongside South Africa, and Benin Republic with the same tally but the Amavubi have a better goal difference.
The Super Eagles are blessed with talented players, which makes it difficult to believe that they are just one point above the bottom position in Group C.
Eric Chelle has a big task on his hands to get the talented players to function as a team to get the win to propel Nigeria to the Mundial in 2026, something that his predecessors have struggled to achieve in recent times.
The Frenchman’s experience will be put to great test in the clash against Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
Nigerians will be hoping that the likes of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Ola Aina will replicate their club form on Friday to get back on track in the qualifiers.
Netherlands vs Spain (UEFA Nations League Quarter-final)
The Netherlands against Spain in the quarterfinal of the UEFA Nations League at the Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam on Thursday promises to be entertaining for both sides—the proponent of entertaining football, which will leave you at the edge of your seat.
The Netherlands finished second in their group with nine points, five behind leaders Germany, winning just two out of six matches.
Their two victories came against Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina before they played out a 2-2 draw with Germany in the first leg, and they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the second leg.
Ronald Koeman’s team has struggled for form in the tournament, as they are unable to turn their talent into victories on the pitch.
The Spanish team have been able to build on their Euro 2024 triumph with impressive performances; they finished top of their group with five wins and one draw.
Spain is unbeaten since winning the European Championship trophy last year, and they are the favourites to win.
This is the first international tournament knockout tie between both teams since Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in the final of the 2010 World Cup.
The Netherlands are unbeaten in their previous five matches at home against Spain with four wins and one draw.
The Netherlands have lost only one of their last eight matches against Spain (W5 D2).
Spain are unbeaten in their last nine UEFA Nations League matches (W7 D2). They have won the last five.
Spain have won 14 and drawn two of their last 16 international matches.
The European Champions will rely heavily on Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal, who has rediscovered his form at a crucial stage of the season with match-winning performances against Benfica, and Atletico Madrid.
Italy vs Germany (UEFA Nations League Quarter-final)
Italy will take on Germany in another blockbuster clash in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday at the San Siro Stadium in Milan.
The battle between the two most successful European nations in terms of major honours, winning four World Cups each, including one in each other’s country, promises to be full of fireworks, skills and grit.
Italy endured a poor outing at the European Championship last year under Luciano Spalleti, but they are gradually finding their feet.
The Azurris finished second in their group and levelled on points with the table-toppers France after they suffered their only defeat to Les Bleus in their last group match.
Germany, under the tutelage of Julian Nagelsmann’s side, is unbeaten in six matches since losing to Spain in extra time in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024; they finished top of their group.
Italy are unbeaten in their last five matches against Germany in Italy (W2 D3). The last three matches between the two teams in Italy finished level.
Italy have scored in the first half in each of their last nine UEFA Nations League matches.
Germany have lost only two of their last 19 UEFA Nations League matches (W7 D10).
Germany has only failed to score in two of their last 20 UEFA Nations League matches.
None of Germany’s last 21 UEFA Nations League matches finished without a goal being scored.
Both sides have met 37 times, with Italy winning 15. Germany has emerged victorious in 10 outings, and 12 encounters have ended in draws.
Argentina vs Brazil (World Cup Qualifiers, March 26, 2025)
The ever-interesting South American rivalry between Brazil and Argentina is set to hold next Wednesday when both countries lock horns in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Estadio Mâs Monumental Stadium in Argentina.
Both teams have contrasting fortunes, with Argentina topping the table with 25 points from 12 matches, while Brazil are in the fifth position on the log from the same number of matches.
Lionel Messi is expected to miss out on the clash after sustaining a groin injury while in action for Inter Miami against Atlanta last weekend.
Brazil will also be without Neymar, who has been impressive for Santos since returning home to play for his boyhood club.
The Selecao have struggled for form under the tutelage of Dorival Junior, who has been criticised for his lack of tactical nous, which has led to the team’s poor performances in recent games.
They have lost four, and drawn three games out of 12 in the qualifiers to dampen their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Argentina, who are the defending champions of the competition, need two wins to book their place in the 2026 edition with eight wins, one draw, and three defeats in 12 games.
Both teams have been involved in 110 official matches; Brazil has won 43 times, with Argentina winning 42 times, while the remaining 26 ended in draws.
Taking a look at the major competitions, Brazil have won two games in the World Cup compared to Argentina’s one. However, Argentina have won more games (16) in the Copa America (10) than Brazil.
Out of the nine games of this fixture in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, Brazil have four wins, Argentina has two, with three draws.
The top six teams qualify directly for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The seventh-placed team is currently Bolivia with 13 points.
After 12 rounds, Messi is the top scorer in the competition with six goals.
Benin Republic vs South Africa (World Cup Qualifiers, March 25)
This is another vital clash in the Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers between Benin Republic, and South Africa, with both sides level on points but South Africa is a place above due to goal difference.
South Africa currently occupies the second position with seven points, while the Benin Republic is in third with the same number of points.
Bafana Bafana won the first leg 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa, but the Benin Republic has grown in leaps and bounds since that encounter under the guidance of Gernot Rohr.
Since that encounter, the Benin Republic have won three out of their next six matches, including a record-breaking 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
South Africa, on the other hand, has won five out of their last eight matches in all competitions under Hugo Bross.
Victory for either side will boost their chances of making it to the competition.
The first international break of the year promises to be interesting as footballers, and football fans, take a break from club engagement in the next two weeks.
