Home nations get ready for return of international footie

Club football is taking an unusually long break as England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland begin their Nations League campaigns.

Instead of having the traditional two separate international breaks in September and October, this season they have been joined together and run from 21 September to 6 October, giving many countries time to play four matches.

All four UK home nations are playing in the Uefa Nations League - a competition for European national teams.

Countries play opponents of roughly similar strength in groups, with results deciding if a team moves up or down between different leagues.

There is plenty at stake - doing well in the Nations League could give a team a second chance to qualify for Euro 2028, which is being co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.

Scotland have a fresh start under coach Sébastien Pocognoli, who replaced Steve Clarke after the World Cup.

His first games are away to Slovenia on 26 September, at home to Switzerland on 29 September, away to North Macedonia on 3 October and at home to Slovenia on 6 October.

Pocognoli originally selected seven uncapped players who have never played a senior match for Scotland. They were Robbie Ure, Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Luke Graham, Stephen Welsh, Josh McPake and goalkeeper Jon McCracken.

There is now an eighth uncapped player after Kristi Montgomery replaced Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, who withdrew.

Scott McTominay, Ché Adams and Lawrence Shankland were already unavailable when the squad was selected.

England begin against newly crowned world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday 26 September.

They then visit Czech Republic on 29 September and Croatia on 3 October, before hosting Czech Republic at Wembley on 6 October.

These are England's first matches since finishing third at the World Cup.

Manager Thomas Tuchel has made several changes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lewis Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Alex Scott and teenage attacker Rio Ngumoha were among those brought in after missing the World Cup squad.

Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Noni Madueke were among the World Cup players not selected this time.

Several players have also pulled out with injuries, including Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento.

James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White were added to the group.

Following the disappointment of missing out on this summer's World Cup, Wales return to competitive action.

Craig Bellamy's side face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal away on 24 September, Denmark away on 27 September, then Erling Haaland's Norway at home on 1 October and Denmark again in Cardiff on 4 October.

Defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor are injured, while Cardiff City attacker Cian Ashford has received his first senior call-up.

Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and goalkeeper Karl Darlow later withdrew and goalkeeper David Cornell, forward Joe Taylor and midfielder Charlie Savage were brought in as replacements.

Manager Michael O'Neill continues to build a young squad as Northern Ireland visit Georgia on 25 September, host Hungary on 28 September, face Ukraine in Slovakia on 2 October and welcome Georgia on 5 October.

Daniel Ballard, Paddy McNair, Dion Charles and Bailey Peacock-Farrell are among the returning players, but Conor Bradley is injured.

Teenagers Ceadach O'Neill and Braiden Graham keep their places, but Jamie McDonnell was originally selected but has since withdrawn with a hamstring injury.