International football is important, mostly to those actually involved in it, though judging by the 80,000+ fans who turned up to watch England play Malta, it's important to many fans as well. But what's most important of all is that players make it back to their clubs healthy and no worse for the wear. Unlike Ryan Bertrand who tweaked his hamstring, or, far more shockingly, Arkadiusz Milik, who ruptured his ACL while playing for Poland.
Here's who, when, and where will be playing, and hopefully not getting injured, on Sunday, October 9, 2016.
Zambia vs. NIGERIA (World Cup 2018 qualifying)
When: 13:30 BST; 8:30am EDT
Where: Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia
Who: Mikel John Obi (76), Kenneth Omeruo (32)
How: beIN Sports Connect (USA); elsewhere
Nigeria begin the third phase of their qualification process for the World Cup with a trip to Southern Africa to play Zambia. Victor Moses had been called up as well, but had withdrawn with an unspecified injury late last week — this has not been without controversy, unfortunately.
SERBIA vs. Austria (World Cup 2018 qualifying)
When: 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Where: Stadion Rajko Mitić, Belgrade, Serbia
Who: Branislav Ivanović (89)
How: Sky Sports Red Button (UK); ESPN3 (USA); elsewhere
Two of the four teams level on four points after two games in the group will go head-to-head. Serbia have been largely disappointing for a few years now while Austria themselves are coming off of a disappointing Euro 2016 tournament. May the least disappointing team win!
Albania vs. SPAIN (World Cup 2018 qualifying)
When: 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Where: Stadiumi Loro Boriçi, Shkodër, Albania
Who: Diego Costa (13)
How: Sky Sports 3 (UK); Fox Sports 1 (USA); elsewhere
Albania are not as bad as their name and country size might make you think, but there really should only be one winner here. Spain were a bit unlucky not to beat Italy last week; they should not have any such difficulties in this one.