International stars from Manchester City and beyond are set to jet-off to various destinations with their respective nations over the coming days.
Before this latest break, Pep Guardiola and his star-studded squad underlined their Premier League title credentials by taking four points off rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.
Those eye-catching results were sandwiched between a European defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
As charges for domestic and Champions League success take shape, though, several City players such as Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have been summoned for World Cup qualifying duty.
However, that is not the only task which awaits Guardiola’s players during this October international break.
Here, we take a closer look at exactly what’s in store for Foden, Grealish and co.
Algeria
Inspired to AFCON glory by City playmaker Riyad Mahrez in 2019, the Africans continue to look to the same player for moments of magic in their ongoing World Cup campaign.
A double header against Niger awaits for the former Leicester City man.
Indeed, the first of those games takes place in Blida on Friday night, with Niger then boasting home advantage for the follow-up encounter in Niamey four days later.
Mahrez has scored 22 goals in 66 international appearances for the Desert Foxes.
October 8: Niger (H) – 8pm
October 12: Niger (A) – 5pm
Belgium
A return to fitness for those mouth-watering showdowns with Chelsea, PSG and Liverpool came as welcome news for Guardiola and his City team – and the same goes for Belgium.
Unlike other European countries, though, the Belgians and Kevin de Bruyne are gearing up for some Nations League action this time. Indeed, they take on France on Thursday night in the semi-finals with the winner heading through to Sunday’s final.
October 7: France (N) – 7.45pm
October 10: Spain/Italy (N) – TBC
Brazil
Confusion and fall-out from the September break continues to rumble on, but the less said about that the better.
Of course, the devastating Covid-19 pandemic continues to take hold of elite sport – as it does wider society.
However, after they were forced to miss out a month ago, City duo Ederson and in-form Gabriel Jesus should now represent Brazil once again.
Two away games inside three days (Venezuela and Colombia) are followed up by a home encounter with Uruguay at the Arena da Amazonia, Manaus.
After that? The second part of a 10,000 mile round trip.
October 8: Venezuela (A) – 12.30am
October 10: Colombia (A) – 10pm
October 15: Uruguay (H) – 1.30am
Manchester City now have Jack Grealish as part of their squad and have started the season in assured fashion, beating Chelsea and playing well in a draw at Liverpool. And Pep Guardiola will be targeting another title, that’s for sure.
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England
Having been without Foden due to an injury in September, England manager Gareth Southgate has recalled City’s starlet to his squad – where he will join clubmates Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and £100million man Grealish.
A late equaliser from Poland in their most recent game means the Three Lions can no longer put together a perfect record on the road to Qatar, but victories away to minnows Andorra and against Hungary beneath the famous arch at Wembley will go a long way to booking their place.
The first of those fixtures is set to be held at the Estadi Nacional, Vella.
October 9: Andorra (A) – 7.45pm
October 12: Hungary (H) – 7.45pm
Netherlands
A sole flag-bearer for the Netherlands, defender Nathan Ake should – if called upon – have relatively quiet evenings against Latvia and Gibraltar.
Despite winning 22 caps for his country, though, the former Bournemouth star has been made to play second fiddle since Liverpool player Virgil van Dijk returned from a serious knee injury.
October 8: Latvia (A) – 7.45pm
October 11: Gibraltar (H) – 7.45pm
Portugal
While many of their City teammates are set for two or even three World Cup qualifiers, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva will feature in a friendly match against 2022 hosts Qatar.
That will be followed-up by a meeting with Luxembourg at the Estadio da Luz, Porto, on Tuesday night.
Certainly when it comes to the first of those games, you would expect the trio to be afforded some rest time and that, of course, is another plus for Guardiola.
October 9: Qatar (H) – 8.15pm
October 12: Luxembourg (H) – 7.45pm
Spain
Having switched allegiances from France, centre-back Aymeric Laporte has become an important part of the Spain line-up – alongside City clubmates Rodri and Ferran Torres.
Similarly to Belgium superstar de Bruyne, it’s Nations League duty for those three as they take on Euro 2020 winners Italy on Wednesday at the San Siro; home to Inter Milan and AC Milan.
They will then move on to either Sunday’s third place play-off or final.
October 6: Italy (N) – 7.45pm
October 10: Belgium/France (N) – TBC
United States
Zack Steffen had to be replaced in the last United States squad after contracting Covid-19. Back in the fold this time around, the back-up goalkeeper is – similarly to Ederson and Jesus – set for a long return flight across the Atlantic.
October 8: Jamaica (H) – 12.30am
October 10: Panama (A) – 11pm
October 14: Costa Rica (H) – 12am
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