Aston Villa players set for global international duty

A large group of Aston Villa players will represent their countries during the upcoming international break, which combines what were previously separate September and October windows for the 2026/27 season.

Villa captain John McGinn has been called up by new Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli for his first squad in charge. Scotland face four UEFA Nations League Group B1 fixtures, including home and away meetings with Slovenia, a home game against Switzerland at Hampden Park, and a trip to North Macedonia.

Johan Manzambi could face McGinn in that Nations League group, having been named in Murat Yakin's Switzerland squad for their four fixtures against Scotland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.

Summer signings Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye have been called up for Senegal, who face two AFCON 2027 Qualifiers — hosting Mozambique on September 25 before travelling to Ethiopia on September 29.

Matteo Ruggeri received a late call-up from Roberto Mancini and could make his senior Italy debut. The Azzurri play four Nations League Group A1 matches against Belgium, Türkiye (twice), and France across the break.

Matty Cash is in Poland's squad for four Nations League outings, while Victor Lindelöf will captain Sweden through three further group fixtures. Zion Suzuki, who impressed at the World Cup, is set for three friendlies with Japan against Uruguay, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka hopes to feature for DR Congo in two AFCON 2027 Qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe.

At youth level, George Hemmings has been called up to England Under-20s for the Euro Elite League in Spain, where they face Italy, France, and Germany. Aidan Borland, Rory Wilson, and Josh Feeney — the last named for the first time — will represent Scotland Under-21s, while Cole Brannigan features for Northern Ireland Under-21s.

Jack McGrath and Fletcher Boyd are in the Scotland Under-19s squad for friendlies in Alicante, and Lennon Moss has been named in the Wales Under-19s group for Euro qualifying in Marbella. First-year scholars Josh Blake and Oscar Johnson will turn out for England Under-17s, with Fabian Williams and George Thomas representing Wales Under-17s in Valencia.