FIFA WORLD CUP AND EURO 2024 QUALIFYING MATCHES: MESSI AND RONALDO RETURN FOR ARGENTINA AND PORTUGAL, RESPECTIVELY, DURING THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK

As national teams from all around the world gear up for various qualifiers and friendlies, club football will take a two-week hiatus.

Here are the key matches from the several worldwide competitions.

FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING FOR CONMEBOLThe South American continent will serve as the starting point for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification process.

On September 8, Argentina, the current world champion, will face Ecuador at home to begin its quest to reclaim the trophy. The team led by Lionel Messi will play in its first competitive match since defeating France in the World Cup final.

On September 9, five-time World Cup champion Brazil will host Bolivia. The match between Uruguay and Chile will take place on the same day and is expected to be quite competitive.

CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers

• Argentina vs Ecuador
• Uruguay vs Chile
• Brazil vs Bolivia
• Bolivia vs Argentina
• Peru vs Brazil

Europe qualifying
This international break will see the continuation of the European Cup qualification process.

Cristiano Ronaldo is back in action for Portugal following his scorching play for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or scored the game-winning goal for Portugal against Iceland during the previous international break, and he will aim to maintain that level of play against Slovakia on September 9.

With Spain now in last place in Group A, the two-time European champion will face a difficult battle. It will first play Georgia and Cyprus before taking on Scotland, who is in fine form and is currently leading the group.

The matchup between England and Ukraine is among the other standout events.

EURO Qualifiers

• Slovakia vs Portugal
• England vs Ukraine
• Portugal vs Luxembourg
• Spain vs Scotland