Deportivista Fabian Schär and his national team, Switzerland, will face Northern Ireland this month in the play-offs for a place in the 2018 Russia World Cup.

The first leg will take place on Thursday 9 November at Windsor Park, Belfast (Northern Ireland, 7:45 pm local time), and the second leg will be on Sunday 12 November (6 pm) at the St Jakob Park in Basel (Switzerland).

The Branquiazul defender was a regular in every match of the group stage, where Switzerland came second, with the same points (27) as Portugal who were first and qualified thanks to a better goal difference.

Romania confirm that Andone and Pantilimon have been selected

Branquiazul players Florin Andone and Costel Pantilimon have been selected by Romania for two friendly matches in November.

The encounters will take place in Cluj, Turkey, on 9 November, and in Bucharest against Holland, on Tuesday 14 November.

Romania are out of the 2018 Russia World Cup as they finished fourth behind Poland, Denmark and Montenegro.

Both players will join their national team on Sunday 5 November, after Saturday’s match against Atlético de Madrid at the Estadio ABANCA-RIAZOR (4:15 pm, Bein Sports).

Nigeria call Francis Uzoho for the first time

Francis Uzoho, the young goalkeeper who debuted recently in an official match wearing RC Deportivo’s shirt, has been called for the first time by Nigeria, for the last 2018 World Cup qualifying match.

Francis, who debuted in LaLiga Santander two weeks ago in Eibar, and was also in the starting eleven against Girona at home, has been called by the Nigerian Federation for the matches against Algeria and Argentina on 10 and 14 November.

Nigeria, who have already qualified for the World Cup, will close the qualifying round against Algeria at the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine (Algeria), on Friday 10 November. On Tuesday 14 November they will play a friendly against Argentina at the Krasnodar Stadium in Krasnodar (Russia).

The Branquiazul goalkeeper will have to join his national team in Morocco, on Monday 6 November, after Dépor host Atlético de Madrid and Fabril receive Gimnástica Segoviana.

Fabrilista, Ismael Díaz, has been called to play for Panama

Hernán Darío Gómez, Panama’s coach, has called Fabril player, Ismael Díaz to play for the two friendly matches against Iran and Wales on 9 and 14 November.

Both matches are to prepare the 2018 Russia World Cup, and the Fabrilista must join his national team in Austria after Dépor’s match on 5 November.

Spain will be one of Celso Borges’ rivals

Celso Borges and his national team, Costa Rica, who have also qualified for the World Cup, will play two friendlies in Europe.

The first friendly will be against Spain on Saturday 11 November, at Malaga’s Estadio de La Rosaleda.

And on Tuesday 14 November, the Ticos will visit Hungary in Budapest (8:15 pm local time).

The Branquiazul midfielder, one of Costa Rica’s regulars, will join his national team on Monday 6 November, two days after Dépor host Atlético de Madrid at the Estadio ABANCA-RIAZOR.

Two friendlies for Fede Valverde and Uruguay in Europe

Just like Celso Borges, Fede Valverde will not have to travel far during the international break, as Uruguay, who has already qualified for the World Cup, will play both friendly matches in Europe.

The first will be against Poland in Gdansk, on Friday 10 November (8:45 pm), and the second against Austria, at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, on Tuesday 14 November (8:45 pm).

The Branquiazul midfielder will have to join Uruguay in Warsaw on Monday 6 November.