One of the main reasons international windows aren’t particularly popular among football fans is the often drab quality of football expected between national teams. This largely boils down to the gap in quality between these sides and the limited time players have to acclimatise themselves to their coaches’ tactical demands and compatriots’ strengths and weaknesses, with the makeup of national teams and objectives often changing with every international window.

Footballers and coaches are professionals, and they tend to somehow get the job done, but it’s not always to the taste of fans who prefer the rhythm and intensity of club football. However, 16 days is a very long time to be crying foul of the international window, so Bounce Sports has done the digging across Africa, Europe and South America for the 10 top matches that’ll make the lengthy break worth it.

Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana (AFCON 2027 qualifier) on Thursday, September 24

Hervé Renard will take charge of Côte d’Ivoire for the first time when the AFCON 2023 champions begin their run to the 2027 edition against Ghana. The Black Stars shockingly missed out on the 2025 edition of the African championship, ending a 20-year streak of consecutive appearances. 

The fixture, slated for Thursday at 8 PM WAT at the Stade de Bouaké in Côte d’Ivoire, will be an early test for both West African giants in Group C, where only one qualification ticket is available. 

Netherlands vs Germany (Nations League) on Thursday, September 24

For their first matches in charge of their national teams, the Netherlands’ Xavi Hernandez and Germany’s Jurgen Klopp will lead a heavyweight UEFA Nations League clash on Thursday, as both European powerhouses begin a new chapter for their nations.

Importantly, the fixture will also offer an early insight into how both coaches’ international commitments might unfold, as they begin the task of taking their countries back to the summit of world football.

Italy vs Belgium (Nations League) on Friday, September 25

Italy and Belgium will both begin new chapters when they meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday, with Roberto Mancini and Mark van Bommel taking charge of their respective national teams for the first time in these new spells.

For Mancini, the return comes after Italy missed a third consecutive World Cup, while the 2026 World Cup quarter-finalists are taking a fresh leaf under Van Bommel, who is taking his first steps into international management. With France and Türkiye completing a particularly demanding Group A1, neither side has the luxury of a gentle start.

Morocco vs Gabon (AFCON 2027 qualifier) on Friday, September 25

Morocco will begin their road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Gabon, off the back of a contentious AFCON 2025 victory and Africa’s best finish at the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Gabon, who showed just how dangerous they can be in front of goal, will look to make the most of a difficult away assignment after the calamitous exit of talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 

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England vs Spain (Nations League) on Saturday, September 26

One match separated both teams from meeting at the 2026 World Cup finals, but eventual winners Spain will have to send a reminder of their invincibility against Thomas Tuchel-led England in the opening Nations League round.

Norway vs Portugal (Nations League) on Sunday, September 27

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Erling Haaland. It is a matchup that feels like it should have happened several times already, yet Sunday could finally bring two of the most recognisable No. 9s of their generations together on the international stage.

Beyond the Ronaldo-Haaland subplot, both sides arrive with plenty to prove in a demanding Group A4 that also includes Denmark and Wales. Norway are back in League A after a relatively good World Cup outing, while two-time UNL champions Portugal are hoping to put their horrendous World Cup outing behind them. 

Belgium vs France (Nations League) on Monday, September 28

Belgium and France will meet in Brussels on Monday with two new men in charge, making this as much a test of two managerial projects as it is another heavyweight Nations League encounter.

For France, it marks Zinedine Zidane’s second game in charge and his first against one of Europe’s established powers. And having lost their last five meetings against France, including their two most recent Nations League encounters, Belgium will have a new manager and an old problem to solve. 

France vs Italy (Nations League) on Friday, October 2

France and Italy rarely need much selling, but Friday’s meeting comes with plenty happening beneath the surface. Zidane will face another test of his early ideas with France, while Mancini’s second spell with Italy will face one of its first serious examinations against elite opposition. 

Egypt vs South Africa (Friendly) on Sunday, October 4

Two of Africa’s traditional footballing powers will go head-to-head in a friendly that should offer more than just a chance to test new players and combinations.

Egypt will have home advantage, but South Africa’s recent growth on the continent makes this an interesting meeting between two sides with plenty of history and quality.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) vs Benin on October 6

Picked not for the competitiveness expected on the last day of this window, but for its significance to the football world: Lionel Messi’s farewell match for Argentina.

While a time hasn’t been set,  the occasion will inevitably be bigger than the football itself, with the Argentina captain set to close the chapter on a national-team career that has included the Copa América, World Cup and other major honours.