© Imago
October brings the second international break of the season as Bayern’s players head off around the world to play for their country. Most face qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Here’s an overview of who’s been called up and who they’ll be playing.
Germany: Tah, Kimmich, Gnabry, Goretzka, Pavlović
Serge Gnabry scored in Germany’s win over Northern Ireland. | © Imago
Germany’s squad includes five Bayern players in Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović as they continue their qualifying campaign in Group A. They currently sit second in that section after an opening 2-0 defeat in Slovakia and a 3-1 win at home to Northern Ireland. Julian Nagelsmann’s side now host Luxembourg in Sinsheim on Friday, 10 October (8.45pm CEST) before going to Belfast the following Monday, 13 October (8.45pm CEST).
France: Upamecano, Olise
Dayot Upamecano has played every minute of France’s World Cup qualification so far. | © Imago
Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise are with France’s squad as they look to follow up their opening wins over Ukraine (2-0) and Iceland (2-1). Didier Deschamps’ side top Group D ahead of hosting Azerbaijan in Paris on Friday, 10 October (8.45pm CEST). Les Bleus then go to Reykjavik the following Monday, 13 October (8.45pm CEST).
England: Kane
Harry Kane scored England’s opening goal in Serbia last month. | © Getty
Harry Kane’s England travel to Riga to face Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, 14 October (8.45pm CEST) as they look to make it six wins from six. Before that, Thomas Tuchel’s team have a friendly against Wales at Wembley on Thursday, 9 October (8.45pm CEST).
Austria: Laimer
Konrad Laimer scores Austria’s winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in September. | © Imago
Konrad Laimer is once again in Austria’s squad as they look to add to their four wins from four games in World Cup qualifying. Ralf Rangnick’s side are level on points with Bosnia and Herzegovina at the top of Group H but with a game in hand. They first host San Marino in Vienna on Thursday, 9 October (8.45pm CEST) before going to Romania on Sunday, 12 October (8.45pm CEST).
Senegal: Jackson
Nicolas Jackson is on course for the World Cup with Senegal.
Nicolas Jackson’s Senegal are still unbeaten after eight games of World Cup qualifying and top their group with 18 points, which would mean an automatic place in next summer’s tournament. The Lions of Teranga have a two-point advantage going into the final two games of Group B and first go to South Sudan on Friday, 10 October (2pm CEST) before hosting Mauritania on Tuesday, 14 October (9pm CEST).
Colombia: Díaz
Luis Díaz and Colombia now have friendly matches in the USA before the World Cup. | © Getty
Luis Díaz and Colombia secured their place at the World Cup in September and now have two friendly matches in the USA this month. Los Cafeteros first play Mexico in Dallas, Texas on the night of Saturday, 11 October before taking on Canada in New Jersey on the night of Tuesday, 14 October.
South Korea: Kim
Minjae Kim’s South Korea face two high-profile friendly matches. | © Getty
Minjae Kim and South Korea secured their place at next summer’s finals some time ago. The Bayern defender now has two friendly matches at home in Seoul against Brazil on Friday, 10 October and then against Paraguay on Tuesday, 14 October.
Youth teams: Bischof & Klanac
Tom Bischof has been named in Germany’s U21 squad for their Euro qualifiers against Greece (10 October) and Northern Ireland (14 October).
Goalkeeper Leon Klanac is with Germany’s U19s for their Euro qualifiers against Armenia (8 October), Kosovo (11 October) and Norway (14 October).
Bayern created a historic photo for the club’s 125th anniversary:
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