International break fixtures: Best games to watch during the October break

South America's World Cup qualifying process is already well under way - much like in Asia - while the UEFA Nations League will preoccupy European teams, and the quest for an AFCON place resumes in Africa.

Whether it is finding out how Brazil respond to their recent woes, seeing how Italy and Germany shape up as they rebuild towards 2026, or even watching two North American rivals slug it out in a 'friendly', there will be plenty of entertainment to get stuck into.

Here, Sports Mole runs an eye over which games promise the most intrigue, action and drama.

Brazil vs. Peru

Only occupying fifth place in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Brazil are enduring an unfamiliar struggle, as they sit some eight points adrift of old foes Argentina, who currently lead the way.

The midpoint of South America's marathon group stage is drawing near, but the Brazilians have accrued just 10 points from eight matches, leaving head coach Dorival Junior under immense pressure to produce better results.

Last month, the Selecao put in a lacklustre performance against Ecuador but edged their way to a 1-0 win, before losing to lowly Paraguay, who had won just once beforehand.

When Carlo Ancelotti's promised appointment failed to materialise, the CBF invited Dorival to take charge at the start of this year; however, his star-studded squad were also eliminated in the Copa America quarter-finals.

Therefore, consecutive meetings with South America's bottom two sides - away to Chile and particularly at home against Peru five days later - are surely both 'must-wins' for the Selecao's under-fire manager.

News that Real Madrid duo Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao have been ruled out by injury will not have helped his mood, but a forward department still boasting Rodrygo, Endrick, Savinho, Gabriel Martinelli and Raphinha is one to be feared by a Peru side with just three points on the board.

Italy vs. Belgium

Both suffered rather miserable exits from Euro 2024 in the summer, but Italy have made a rapid start in their new UEFA Nations League group, bouncing back from conceding an early goal in France to win their opener 3-1, then beating Israel on neutral soil.

Rejuvenated by a fresh formation and several young faces, the Azzurri will be looking for a third successive win when they meet Belgium in Rome, where the Red Devils will hope to end a long winless run against their hosts.

They have not won a competitive game against Italy since 1972 - most recently losing 2-1 in the 2021 Nations League third-place playoff - and after a tame defeat to France last time out, Domenico Tedesco's men will be keen to end that trend.

While record scorer Romelu Lukaku and outspoken captain Kevin De Bruyne are both absent for Belgium - in addition to estranged goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - there is set to be a very familiar name in Italy's squad for the first time in over 20 years.

Joining Manchester City target Samuele Ricci and Roma youngster Niccolo Pisilli in Luciano Spalletti's selection, rising star Daniel Maldini - son of legendary defender Paolo Maldini - has been picked after making a bright start to the season with Monza.

Germany vs. Netherlands

Following a four-goal thriller in Amsterdam last month, these European heavyweights reconvene for another UEFA Nations League contest, with Germany welcoming their old foes to Munich on Monday.

The post-Euros retirement of stalwarts such as Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos has left Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann with some rebuilding to do ahead of the next World Cup, but there have been some encouraging signs so far.

Germany are four-time global champions and three-time Euro winners but have yet to reach the knockout phase in three editions of the Nations League - doing so this season would suggest they can contend for glory in two years time.

An opening 5-0 win over Hungary certainly demonstrated their abundant attacking potential, while a 2-2 draw with the Dutch saw Die Nationalelf dominate both possession and the shot count at Johan Cruyff Arena.

In the week that Cruyff's former teammate Johan Neeskens passed away, the Netherlands will seek to pay fitting tribute to one of their greatest players by beating the old enemy in Bavaria - albeit that looks a tough task at the moment.

Japan vs. Australia

Pitched into Group C as the third round of Asia's labyrinthine World Cup qualification process was drawn, Australia would have been concerned about facing some dangerous rivals but still confident of making it through to the finals.

However, they have some serious catching up to do, after Bahrain wrote new history with a first-ever win over their Australian counterparts last month, when Harry Souttar's own goal decided a close contest on the Gold Coast.

In addition to a draw against Indonesia, that left the Socceroos on just one point from two matches, leading to the resignation of head coach Graham Arnold and subsequent appointment of Tony Popovic.

The latter's first game will see China arrive in Adelaide, and taking maximum points from one of the group's weakest sides is a must, given that a tough trip to Japan is on the agenda five days later.

Australia have relinquished their dominant position in Asia over recent years, and it is Japan that can claim to have taken their crown - albeit Qatar are reigning continental champions.

The Samurai Blue hit China for seven last month - with Takumi Minamino bagging a brace and Take Kubo rounding off the scoring in Saitama - before beating Bahrain 5-0 and surging straight to the top of the group.

It is still early days, but another victory over Australia would put Hajime Moriyasu's men ever closer to securing direct qualification.

Mexico vs. USA

The USA - reigning CONCACAF Nations League champions - will not be in competitive action this month, as they are among several top-ranked teams to have been given a bye to the quarter-finals.

The knockout rounds will take place next month, but first a 'friendly' clash with their fiercest foes awaits on October 15, when Mauricio Pochettino's side travel south to Guadalajara, Mexico.

The two rivals are gearing up to host the next World Cup along with Canada, so with the aim of replicating competitive matches they will meet at Estadio Akron, which is one of the three Mexican venues for the 2026 finals.

While the teams regularly meet in regional competition, it will be the Americans' first away friendly against El Tri since 2012, when a 1-0 victory at Estadio Azteca was their first-ever win south of the border.

More recently, the Stars and Stripes have put together a seven-game unbeaten streak against their Mexican counterparts, kicked off by their dramatic extra-time win in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League final.

A 2-0 victory in March of this year secured the States' third consecutive Nations League title, so Mexico will be determined to earn a measure of revenge in a grudge match in front of their own fans.