Welcome to the 14th episode of Watch for the 2025-26 season. This article will cover the major world football events from October 9th to 11th Pacific Time:

October 9th, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Malta vs. Netherlands

The Netherlands has a perfect record of seven A-level matches against Malta, scoring 36 goals and keeping a clean sheet. In the first leg of this World Cup qualifier, the Oranje defeated Malta 8-0 at home. In this World Cup qualifier, the Netherlands leads the standings with three wins and one draw, while Malta is at the bottom with two draws and three losses. For the Netherlands, winning against Malta is crucial, as is achieving a strong goal difference. In this match, captain Van Dijk continues to lead the team. Depay is the key offensive force, the team's all-time leading scorer and seventh on the team's appearance list. Facing a weak Malta team, he and fellow striker Gakpo have a chance to rack up some impressive stats. Kluivert, who has performed well in the Premier League, is expected to score his first goal.

October 9, 11:45 AM Friendly Match: England vs. Wales

The two teams have met 104 times in A-level competitions, with England winning 69, drawing 21, and losing 14. Wales have won all seven of their last seven matches, conceding only one goal, and have won nine of the past ten. Since England received a bye in the World Cup qualifiers, they will play a friendly match against Wales. In this match, England is expected to focus on roster development and new talent development. Defender Kwaan-Ansah is expected to make his debut, while captain Kane is expected to see some playing time. With 74 goals, any goal would shatter the club's all-time scoring record and potentially tie Japanese legend Kamamoto Kunimo, who has 75 and ranks 13th on the world's all-time scoring list. For Wales, a goal from Aaron Ramsey would push him into the top five of the club's all-time scoring list.

October 9th, 6:00 AM Friendly Match: South Korea vs. Brazil

In Brazil's A-League history, South Korea has a 7-1 record in their eight matches against them, including a perfect record in their last five. Both teams have already qualified for the World Cup and will be developing their squads and developing new talent for the upcoming Mexico City World Cup. In this match, South Korea captain Son Heung-min, with 136 appearances, would surpass Hong Myung-bo and Cha Bum-kun to become the club's all-time appearance leader. He is also the current top scorer. Lee Jae-sung is expected to reach his 100th cap for the national team. As for Brazil, Alisson, Rafinha, Neymar, and Marquinhos were all omitted from this roster. Richarlison, who performed well for Tottenham, is expected to be entrusted with a more important role. Vinicius is also in good form, but Cunha has been average this season and needs to find his scoring touch with the national team.

October 10, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Germany vs. Luxembourg

The two teams have met 13 times in A-level competitions, with Germany winning 12 and losing just one. Luxembourg has won all six of their last six matches, and they have scored 18 goals in the last three meetings, while keeping a clean sheet. In the first two rounds of the World Cup qualifiers, Germany has one win and one draw, finishing third in their group, while Luxembourg has lost both games. For Germany to finish first in their group and advance directly to the World Cup, they must defeat Luxembourg and achieve a sufficient goal difference. For this match, German defenders Rudiger, Sané, Musiala, Felkerug, and Havertz were all absent due to injury. Up front, the team called up Bayer, Waltermade, and Burkart, all of whom have scored zero goals for their national team. They will be aiming for their first goals against the underdog Luxembourg.

October 10, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: France vs. Azerbaijan

In their two matches against Azerbaijan in the French A-League, France not only remains undefeated, but has also scored 12 goals and kept a clean sheet. In the first two rounds of the World Cup qualifiers, France was undefeated and ranked first, while Azerbaijan was at the bottom with one draw and one loss. Due to the significant gap in strength, France is aiming for a third consecutive victory while also securing a sufficient goal difference. In this match, France's newly crowned Ballon d'Or winners, Dembélé and Douai, are both absent due to injury. Offensively, Kylian Mbappé's availability is uncertain, as he is suspected of being injured.

October 10, 7:00 PM, Friendly Match: Argentina vs. Venezuela

The two teams have met 29 times in A-level competitions, with Argentina boasting a 24-win, 3-draw, and 2-loss record. In their last five matches against Venezuela, they're undefeated with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. Argentina, having already qualified for the World Cup, still called up Lionel Messi for this friendly match in the United States. As the team's all-time leading appearance and top scorer, he's expected to start. Three rising stars, Rivero, Moreno, and Lopez, are all expected to make their international debuts.

October 11, 11:45 AM, World Cup Qualifier: Portugal vs. Ireland

The two teams have met 16 times in A-level competitions, with Portugal boasting a record of 9 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. Ireland has won 3 and drawn 1 of its last four matches, with only one loss in the past nine. In the first two rounds of the World Cup qualifiers, Portugal won both matches and leads the standings, while Ireland finished last with 1 draw and 1 loss. Portugal is aiming for a third consecutive victory to secure World Cup qualification as soon as possible, while Ireland must secure points to avoid early elimination. In this match, Portugal's focus remains on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 141 goals in 223 appearances, both world records. Gonzalo Ramos has also been in excellent form recently, finding the net frequently in Paris. For Ireland, Evan Ferguson offers some scoring prowess.

October 11, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Estonia vs. Italy

Italy has remained undefeated in its eight matches against Estonia in A-League competitions, scoring 25 goals and conceding only two. In the first leg of this World Cup qualifier, the Azzurri triumphed 5-0 at home. Currently, Italy sits second in the standings with a 3-1 record, six points behind leaders Norway, having played a game less. To qualify directly, they must defeat Estonia away. Italy's main problem in this match lies in their forward line. Neither Raspadori, Kean, nor Retegui are particularly efficient strikers. However, Retegui scored twice in the first leg against Estonia and is expected to be given a significant role in this rematch. New striker Cambiaggi is expected to make his debut for the Azzurri.

October 11, 11:45 AM, World Cup Qualifiers: Spain vs. Georgia

Spain has a 7-1 record in their eight matches against Georgia in the A-League, including a perfect record in the last five. In the first two rounds of the World Cup qualifiers, Spain remained undefeated, scoring nine goals and keeping a clean sheet. Georgia finished in second place with a 1-1 record. Given the significant gap between the two teams, Spain, playing at home, is expected to secure their third consecutive victory and a guaranteed goal difference. In this game, Spanish midfielders Fabian, Morata and Nico Williams were not included in this issue's roster. On the offensive end, Ferran Torres and Oyarzabal, who are in good competitive form, will shoulder the responsibility of scoring the team's goals; for Georgia, the team's all-time appearance leader Kashya will be in charge of the defense, and Kvaratskhelia, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, is expected to partner with Mikatadze, who is second in the team's all-time scorer list. The forward line formed by the two of them is a huge threat to the Spanish defense.