A fascinating XI of players set for international debuts in November
Players from clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and AC Milan are among the uncapped prospects who could be about to make their international debuts.
Yep, another international break is upon us and a few managers have taken it as a chance to chuck in some more experimental shouts for their squads.
In a 3-4-2-1 formation, here’s our XI of potential international debutants to keep an eye out for during the current break.
GK: Mike Penders (Belgium)
It’s hard to be too certain if a goalkeeper will make their debut, since it’s normally a position with a well-established starter, but there are a few as-yet uncapped hopefuls who are at least in their countries’ squads for this break.
For example, Chelsea’s Penders is in the Belgium squad. And with Thibaut Courtois taking a break from the national team, the gloves are up for grabs.
Manchester United’s Senne Lammens might have the edge in theory, but he’s yet to keep a clean sheet for his club this season in the league.
Penders, in contrast, has kept two after coming in for Chelsea’s last four games after an injury to Emiliano Martinez.
The 21-year-old was also Chelsea’s go-to keeper in the Carabao Cup until they got knocked out by Liverpool.
CB: James Hill (England)
What a year 2026 has been for Hill. He’s played every single minute in the Premier League for Bournemouth this calendar year and has now been rewarded with his first England call-up.
The 24-year-old has been drafted in as a replacement for the injured Ezri Konsa and will hope to get his England debut.
Hill only ever earned one cap at under-21 level for England, some four years ago, and had to bide his time to break through at Bournemouth after making the step up from Fleetwood Town, but it’s fair to say the Cherries have looked a much better team with him in.
CB: Jacobo Ramon (Spain)
Part of the Como squad taking Serie A and the Champions League by storm, Ramon was a product of the Real Madrid academy and will probably return there one day to become part of the senior squad thanks to a buyback clause.
He only made his under-21 debut for Spain last November but is now in contention for his first senior cap. He’s definitely a player on the up.
CB: Aaron Anselmino (Argentina)
Anselmino hasn’t even played for Chelsea this season after coming back from loan and having to deal with some thigh problems, but he could be in line for his Argentina bow if he’s fit enough.
Argentina have friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica coming up, which could give them a chance to experiment.
Anselmino is one of two uncapped players in their squad. His only previous international involvement was at under-20 level.
RM: Geovany Quenda (Portugal)
Chelsea have been patient with Quenda so far this season, only using him as a starter once. But he’s also come off the bench five times and has ended up firmly on Portugal’s radar.
He already has 16 caps and seven goals at under-21 level for his country and now has a chance of earning his first senior appearance for them.
Portugal, of course, are entering their post-Ronaldo era and will be assessing all the fresh attacking talent at their disposal.
What role Quenda could take on for them remains to be seen. He’s played as a winger for their under-21s, but more of a wing-back for his club so far.
CM: Jobe Bellingham (England)
There’s now room for two Bellinghams in one England squad. Following in the footsteps of older brother Jude, who now has 60 caps to his name and was England’s men’s player of the year for the past two seasons, Jobe has been drafted into the senior squad for the first time after 12 under-21 outings.
He’s played 15 times for Borussia Dortmund this season, including 11 starts.
“To have that chance of an opportunity to represent England with my brother, it’s really hard to put into words,” the 21-year-old enthused ahead of his prospective debut. “I don’t have the words, really. I think it’s only emotion that could describe it, and, hopefully, if that time does come, you’ll see a lot of emotion from people, and definitely from my family.”
CM: Josh King (England)
Thomas Tuchel has been aware of King’s potential for a while. He invited him as one of four extra players to take part in England’s preparation camp for the World Cup.
Two others have since made their debuts (Alex Scott and Rio Ngumoha) and King will now be hoping to do the same.
He’s been a rare bright spark for Fulham this season, with two goals and an assist from 10 starts.
He was with the under-21s in the last international break but has now made the step up.
LM: Allan (Brazil)
A new Manchester City recruit this summer, you’d be forgiven for not knowing too much about Allan still.
He got a goal and assist on his City debut in the Carabao Cup against Norwich, but has only played twice as a sub in the league.
Brazil are giving a chance to some untested players during this break, though, and the former Palmeiras talent is one of those waiting for his moment.
The 22-year-old never even played at youth level for his country, but is now in the same squad as Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and co.
AM: Rodrigo Mora (Portugal)
Mora is starting to find his feet in a Roma side that have been flying in Serie A this season.
Signed from Porto this summer in what should become a club-record deal after instalments, the attacking midfielder has scored in each of his last three Serie A games.
It’s been 50-50 whether he’ll start or come off the bench so far, but with his form improving, he’s becoming harder for his boss to overlook. And for his country to, too.
Mora has five goals from 10 games at under-21 level for Portugal and the 19-year-old will now be savouring the step up.
We also like that his surname is an anagram of the club he plays for.
AM: Alphadjo Cisse (Italy)
Cisse has been one of Serie A’s big breakout stars this season with AC Milan.
He impressed in Serie B with play-off contenders Catanzaro last season and made an instant impact on his Serie A debut by scoring the opener against Torino.
It was the first of an impressive eight goals from 13 games he’s scored so far this season, which also includes a Europa League hat-trick against Red Bull Salzburg.
Born in Treviso, believed to be the birthplace of tiramisu and prosecco, Cisse would also be eligible for Guinea, where his parents are from.
So Italy aren’t missing a trick and have called the 20-year-old up for their Nations League games against France and Belgium. Lord knows they need some fresh talent like him.
CF: Eli Junior Kroupi (France)
Hill isn’t the only Bournemouth player getting his first chance at international level.
Kroupi has also got the call, in his case from France, as he continues his comeback from injury.
The forward has only come off the bench four times this season since his recovery, but has plenty of credit in the bank from how well he did last season.
His 13 goals helped fire Bournemouth into Europe for the first time in their history and he also scored three goals from five games for France’s under-21s along the way.
He’s just got Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola to take minutes off now – easy, right? – along with fellow uncapped attacker Pablo Pagis of Paris FC.
Subs: Lucas Perri (Brazil), Sepp van den Berg (Netherlands), Marc Roca (Spain), Brajan Gruda (Germany), Gustavo Varela (Portugal)
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