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.
Crédit photo : AF / Panoramic
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.
Crédit photo : News / Panoramic
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.
Crédit photo : Pauline CARRE / FFF
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.