The second international break for women’s football in the 2020/21 campaign is upon us, with a number of West Ham United stars jetting off to represent their respective nations.
Read on to find out who is playing for which team, when and where…
Who is playing?
Eight West Ham players are set for international duty in the coming week, of which six will be involved in UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifiers.
As the host nation, England automatically qualify for the competition next summer, and will therefore only be playing a friendly during the international break. Hammers duo Grace Fisk and Rachel Daly have been called up for said friendly, when Phil Neville’s Lionesses take on Germany next Tuesday away from home.
Defender Fisk, who has been away with England for her third international camp, could be in line to make her debut for the Lionesses, while the versatile Daly could earn her 36th cap.
Having returned from injury to feature for the first time this season at the weekend, Martha Thomas is back in the Scotland international squad for two vital Euro 2021 qualifiers. The Scots play Albania at home on Friday before training to take on Finland next Tuesday.
Having only played twice in qualifying so far, six points from these two games would put Scotland in pole position to reach the tournament finals next summer.
The Republic of Ireland are also in Euro 2021 qualifying action, with one match to play. Leanne Kiernan and Courtney Brosnan could be the two West Ham representatives in action when the Irish play Ukraine on Friday evening in Group I.
With the Republic of Ireland sat in second place and five points adrift of Germany, it seems likely that Kiernan, Brosnan and co are set for the play-offs, but could automatically qualify for the finals if they are in the top three second-placed teams.
Alisha Lehmann and her Switzerland teammates sit at the top of Group H and know a win away to Romania next Tuesday will almost guarantee them a place at the Euro 2021 tournament finals.
Switzerland lead second-place Belgium by one point and the two sides will play each other in the final match in Group H at the end of November.
Kenza Dali is once again included in the France squad for their Euro 2021 qualifiers, with matches against North Macedonia and Austria set for Friday and Tuesday respectively.
France sit second in the group and play a North Macedonia side that cannot qualify for the Finals. Austria, on the other hand, sit atop Group G but have played a game more than Dali and her international teammates. Neither side has yet conceded a goal in qualifying either.
Finally, Katerina Svitkova will return to international duty with the Czech Republic in Group D, with matches to be played against group leaders Spain and Azerbaijan.
The playmaker sustained a slight injury during the last international break but will be hoping to help her side see off Spain and take the top position on Friday.
Can I watch these matches?
England’s friendly away to Germany will be available live on BBC Two and on BBC iPlayer next Tuesday. The fixture is set to kick-off at 3pm, with coverage starting shortly before.
Scottish supporters will be able to watch Shelley Kerr’s team in action against Albania on Friday 23 October and away to group E leaders Finland on Tuesday 27 October on BBC Alba.
Matches in full
Friday 23 October
Leanne Kiernan & Courtney Brosnan - Ukraine v Republic of Ireland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group I - Obolon Arena - 5pm KO
Kenza Dali - France v North Macedonia - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group G - Stade de la Source - 8pm KO
Katerina Svitkova - Spain v Czech Republic - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group D - Estadio de La Cartuja - 8pm KO
Tuesday 27 October
Grace Fisk & Rachel Daly - Germany v England - Friendly - Brita-Arena -3pm KO
Alisha Lehmann - Romania v Switzerland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group H - Stadionul CNAF - 3.30pm KO
Katerina Svitkova - Czech Republic v Azerbaijan - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group D - Městský stadion - 4pm KO
Martha Thomas - Finland v Scotland - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group E - Sonera Stadium - 4:15pm KO
Kenza Dali - Austria v France - UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 Qualifying, Group G - Stadion Wiener Neustadt - 8pm KO
