When Sheffield United's March internationals will be in action as six players aim to impress
Three members of Sheffield United’s squad will be hoping to help their respective nations clinch places at this summer’s World Cup over the coming days.
After goalkeeper Adam Davies and Ipswich Town loanee Chiedozie Ogbene secured places in the Wales and Republic of Ireland squads respectively ahead of their play-off campaigns, United academy graduate Andre Brooks secured his maiden call-up for Jamaica amid their ambitions of securing a first World Cup appearance since 1998.
The three aforementioned nations missed out on automatic qualification for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, meaning they will be hoping to book their spots at the showpiece event via the play-offs.
After reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Wales are hoping to secure back-to-back World Cup appearances for the very first time. They face Bosnia and Herzegovina in their respective play-off semi-final at the Cardiff City Satdium on Thursday evening.
Should Craig Bellamy’s side come out on top, they will then face the winner of the semi-final between Italy and Northern Ireland next Tuesday evening, also at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Davies, who has recently been parachuted into United’s starting line-up after Michael Cooper was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, played no part in Wales’ World Cup qualifying campaign, meaning he is likely to once again play second fiddle to first-choice shot-stopper Karl Darlow.
Elsewhere in the European World Cup play-offs, Ogbene is likely to play a more prominent role for the Republic of Ireland amid their bid to reach a first World Cup since 2002. They clinched a play-off place in dramatic fashion back in November, recovering from 2-1 down late on to beat Hungary 3-2 in Budapest.
Participating in Path D, they will face the Czech Republic in Prague in their semi-final on Thursday evening. Should they advance to the play-off final to contest a place at the World Cup, they will host either Denmark or North Macedonia in Dublin next Tuesday night.
Ogbene, who has struggled for game time at Bramall Lane this term, started five of his nation’s six World Cup qualifiers, meaning he could bag himself another start in Prague.
Brooks is the final member of Chris Wilder’s squad who will be hoping to help his country seal a place at the World Cup after being awarded his first Jamaica call-up by interim head coach Rudolph Speid. After replacing Steve McClaren, Speid has decided to mix up the squad by bringing in new faces including Brooks.
After being pipped to automatic qualification by Curaçao, Jamaica must now navigate their way through the CONCACAF play-offs. Facing New Caledonia in their play-off semi-final in Mexico on Friday, Jamaica, should they advance to the final, already know they will face DR Congo in a straight shootout to seal a spot at this summer’s tournament.
Also being staged in Mexico, the clash with DR Congo will take place next Tuesday.
Elsewhere at senior level, Tyler Bindon and Tahith Chong have been called up to represent New Zealand and Curaçao respectively. New Zealand are scheduled to face Finland and Chile in the FIFA Series in Auckland.
They are pencilled in to face Finland on Friday and then Chile next Monday. Both matches will be played at Eden Park.
Chong and Curaçao are also scheduled to feature in the FIFA Series, taking on China and Australia in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. They will face China on Friday and then Australia on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, at Under-21s level, Blades midfield ace Sydie Peck will once again turn out for England after being named in Lee Carsley’s squad for their latest European Championship qualifiers.
The Three Lions youngsters, who are the reining champions, face Andorra at the Estadi Nacional on Friday evening before returning to England and taking on Moldova at Carrow Road next Tuesday evening.
Peck has featured in all five of England’s qualifiers thus far, scoring one goal.