Eiji Kawashima was the first of the three players to book his ticket to Qatar. Our Japanese goalkeeper also made his 94th international appearance starting in Japan’s 1-1 draw against Vietnam. The Samurai Blue had already qualified for the World Cup after their 2-0 victory against Australia earned them a top-two finish in the third round of Asian qualifying.
Alex Djiku played both matches in the play-offs for Ghana against Nigeria, with the Black Stars qualifying on away goals after a 1-1 draw in Abuja (1-1 aggregate).
Senegal also secured their place in Qatar via the play-offs against Egypt. After a 1-0 away defeat, the Teranga Lions won 1-0 in Dakar (1-1 aggregate), eventually beating Egypt 3-1 on penalties. Habib Diallo and Bingourou Kamara – on loan at Royal Charleroi Sporting Club – didn’t feature in either match against Egypt.
Selected for two friendly matches, Matz Sels made his second international appearance – and first as a starter – in Belgium’s 3-0 win against Burkina Faso.
Racing Mutest Académie stars Robin Risser, Habib Diarra and Mahamadou Kanouté were all called up for the France U18 squad. Risser notably started in goal in the 1-1 draw against Germany, while Diarra and Kanouté came on as substitutes. Diarra started against the Netherlands and scored his first goal for Les Bleus in the 2-1 win.
Tom Saettel featured for France U17s in the elite round of qualification for the 2022 Euro U17 Championship. Wins against Luxembourg (2-0) and England (3-1) ensured France’s place in Israel. Saettel started against Luxembourg and came on early in the second half against England.
Our two youngsters earned their first senior appearances for Haiti during a 2-1 friendly defeat against Guatemala. Dany Jean and Fredler Christophe came on in the 65th and 74th minute respectively.