Come Tuesday, Matt Doherty, Alfred N’Diaye and Romain Saiss will hope their nations have done enough to secure a trip to Russia next summer.
Doherty’s fine form for Wolves earned him a first call-up and they don’t come much bigger than a World Cup Play-Off, with a trip to Denmark on Saturday followed up by the home leg in Dublin the following Tuesday.
N’Diaye’s Senegal look in the most controlling position of all. They know victory against South Africa on Friday will see them qualify with a game to spare, before the two countries meet again on Tuesday.
Morocco are in with a brilliant chance of reaching their first World Cup since 1998. Saiss’ men just need to avoid defeat to the Ivory Coast on Saturday to see them top their qualifying group.
Portugal have already qualified for Russia and Ruben Neves has a chance of being on the plane after receiving a senior call-up. He’ll look to take his chance in friendlies against Saudi Arabia on Friday and USA on Tuesday.
However, although Prince Oniangue is again in the Congo squad, their World Cup hopes have long been extinguished, with their final qualifier coming against Uganda on Sunday.
Meanwhile, UEFA Under-21 qualifications are also underway, with Diogo Jota and Connor Ronan involved this weekend.
Portugal and Jota have taken three points from their first six available so will look to improve their position in qualifiers against Romania on Friday and Switzerland the following Tuesday.
Ronan’s Republic of Ireland are flying, with three wins and a draw from their opening four games. They’ll look to hold on to top spot in their qualifying group with a victory at Norway on Tuesday.
England have made a similarly impressive start and have Wolves goalkeeper, Harry Burgoyne on the stand-by list for their qualifier with Ukraine on Friday evening.
Sticking with Portugal, Ruben Vinagre will be involved in their Under-19 squad this weekend, as they take on Spain on Tuesday in an international friendly.
Finally, Lee Evans, currently on loan at Wigan Athletic from Molineux, faces friendlies against France and Panama with Wales.
