USMNT need momentum, Brazil hope to get attack going and more international break storylines

The qualification of the World Cup reaches his heights during the international break of September. Only 14 countries have booked their place in the World Cup 2026, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and more want to participate as quickly as possible. With the World Cup, which is being expanded to 48 teams for the first time as part of this edition, many countries get the chance to compete for the first time, while others want to end to end large drought and absence of the most important tournament of FIFA.

Looking around the world, while the United States will not participate in the qualification Japan. Other teams such as Italy and Norway will have a lot to play in UEFA, and the qualification of the World Cup starts in Concacaf for the teams who want to join the hosts.

Let’s see what to look at during this international break:

Who is the favorite in Concacaf?

With the Big Three of Concacaf already qualified for the World Cup, the rest of the field must be a sigh of relief as a world cup qualifying twist Paramount+). Jamaica, Panama and Costa Rica all love their chances of coming directly to the tournament, but when they slip, Concacaf improve his sides and they can push for qualifying. Guatemala and Honduras are two teams with the most of the extra qualifying places, because it is someone’s gamble that comes from the North -American qualification.

Haaland to book his place in the World Cup?

Everyone wants a World Cup with the best players in the world who are present, and if Norway can continue their strong start to qualify, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard Will be able to leave their mark in the United States. Norway has not qualified for the World Cup since 1998, when they made the round of 16 FranceBut they will want to end that drought. Perfect so far in the UEFA qualification, the next are competitions opposite Finland and Moldova to strengthen their position. Win that, and Norway will really dream of qualifying.

Italy seem to prevent three straight world cups from missing

Holding in group I, while Norway is a good start, the same cannot be said for Italy, who have one win and one loss due to two games. The only positive thing that can be said is that at least they played only two games, but they didn’t look great. After missing the last two world cups, Italy has to qualify for the extensive edition, because missing a third would be harmful. With a new coach in Gennaro Gattusowho had finished earlier Hajduk Split in CroatiaThey have to walk the ground for the time to qualify.

Brazil required an outbreak

Brazil may have booked their place in the World Cup 2026, but Carlo Ancelotti still has to leave his mark in the team. They have only scored one goal in their last two games, confronted Ecuador And Paraguay, even though it is a team who is expected to be one of the most exciting attacking sides in the world. Ancelotti has stabilized the defense, but the next step is to let the attack roll, what he should do without now Matheus Cunha. Set on Chile and Bolivia, this should be a window where Brazil places goals in the back of the net, and if they don’t, the concern will continue to build.

Can the USMNT show upwards?

Under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States are still looking for a characteristic victory. Opposite Zuid -Korea and Japan they have a chance of one window, although he used the International Break in September to get a last look at new players before tightening the world cup rotations. Disoting captain Will get the chance to play his first competitive match under Pochettino, but he will come across Josh SargentHe scored in five consecutive games for Norwich City. It is a critical window for the USMNT, and they have some regulars in the team, but without players such as Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie there is more pressure than ever on Christian Pulisic And Tyler Adams To lead the team. The worries have continued to grow for the World Cup, and this is a window that can help them relieve them, but with more bad versions the spiral will continue.