International Break Gives Debutants Chance To Win Ticket To 2022 World Cup

The September international break is the last chance for head coaches to take a look at their squads before the Qatar 2022 World Cup. For many players, it might seem like a final hurdle, where they want to avoid any serious injury that could rule them out of the World Cup. But for some players, this international break offers a chance of a lifetime to impress the head coach and win a spot on the plane to Doha.

Two-and-a-half years ago, very few pundits would have suggested that Ivan Toney could be in England’s World Cup squad. He was playing in England’s third tier in front of less than ten thousand fans for Peterborough United. His 26 goals that season earned him a move to Brentford, and his form for the west London club, combined with injuries to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Callum Wilson, means he has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad and could make his debut against Italy or Germany this week.

It’s not just goals that Toney brings to the table. He is one of the Premier League’s best penalty takers and hasn’t missed a spot kick since a match for Peterborough against Barnsley in 2018. That record could be his ticket to Qatar; larger squads are allowed at this World Cup allowing head coaches to select specialists, and with penalty shoot-outs often being the difference between glory and an early flight home, bringing a penalty specialist like Toney could give England a slight edge.

Toney made his debut for Peterborough in 2018, coming on as a substitute for Jason Cummings. He could be meeting the 27-year-old Scotsman again in Doha. Cummings, who played twice for Scotland, has been called up for the Australia national team this international break. He is one of seven players who could make their debuts in Australia’s two games against New Zealand, in what must seem like a trial for the World Cup squad.

Like Australia, Ghana have searched far and wide for new players. Ghana changed their head coach at the start of the year. New coach Otto Addo was born in Germany but played for his parent’s birthplace Ghana and has brought in several players who, like him, have Ghanaian ancestry like Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Tariq Lamptey.

Six players could make their debut for Ghana when they play Brazil in Le Havre on September 23^rd, and two players for Brazil could make their debuts as the Seleçao look to strengthen their defense. Bremer was outstanding for Torino last season, and was named Serie A’s best defender. He joined Juventus in the summer and could not only make the World Cup squad but be one of the stars of the tournament. Roma’s Roger Ibañez could also make his debut for Brazil this international break.

As well as debutants are several players who have returned from the cold. South Korean wonderkid Lee Kang-in has struggled to live up to his potential over the past few seasons, but his bright start to the 2022/23 season, where he has got a goal and three assists in five games, means he is back in contention.

Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech lost his spot on the national team and even announced his international retirement after a falling out with former manager Vahid Halilhodžić, but Halilhodžić’s dismissal has opened the door once again to Ziyech.

With coaches less likely to take risky unknown picks to Qatar, this international break might be the only chance for players earning their first call ups to make an impression on their head coach.

While this international break might seem less important than most, for debutants like Toney, Cummings and Bremer, it could be one of the most important weeks of their careers.