Welcome to the 15th episode of the 2025-26 season's "Game Center." This article will cover the major world football events from October 12th to 14th, Pacific Time:
October 12th, 11:45 AM, World Cup Qualifiers: Netherlands vs. Finland
The two teams have met 15 times in A-level competitions, with the Netherlands holding the upper hand with 12 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. In the first leg of this World Cup qualifier, they defeated Finland 2-0 away, extending their winning streak to five consecutive victories. In the last World Cup qualifiers, the Netherlands defeated Malta 4-0 away, taking first place with a record of 4 wins and 1 draw. Finland defeated Lithuania 2-1 at home, placing them in third place with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. This match is crucial for the Netherlands in their pursuit of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. If national team striker Depay plays, he will tie the legendary Van Bronckhorst's record of 106 appearances, ranking sixth on the team's all-time appearance list. Gakpo is in excellent form, having scored two goals and provided one assist in the last qualifying round. Finland's vice-captain and all-time top scorer, Pukki, is the core of the attacking line, posing a formidable challenge for Dutch captain Van Dijk.
October 13, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Iceland vs. France
The two teams have met 16 times in A-level competitions, with France maintaining an unbeaten record of 12 wins and 4 draws. In the first leg of this World Cup qualifier, they defeated Iceland 2-1 at home, securing their third consecutive victory. In the last qualifying round, Iceland suffered a 3-5 home defeat to Ukraine, suffering their second consecutive defeat. France easily defeated Azerbaijan 3-0 at home, securing a perfect three-match winning streak. If France wins this match and Ukraine doesn't, the French national team will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City two rounds early. However, injuries to several forwards, including Mbappé, Dembélé, and Barkola, are a significant blow to their offense. They will need the billionaire Ekitik to step up, but he hasn't yet made his international debut. Iceland's Albert Gudmundsson is their leading scorer, and a goal would put him in the top ten of their all-time scoring list.
October 13, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Northern Ireland vs. Germany
The two teams have met 20 times in A-level competitions, with Germany winning 14, drawing 4, and losing 2. In the first round of these World Cup qualifiers, they defeated Northern Ireland 3-1 at home, extending their winning streak to ten games. In the last World Cup qualifiers, Northern Ireland defeated Slovakia 2-0 at home, while Germany defeated Luxembourg 4-0 at home, extending their winning streak to two games. Currently, both teams have a record of 2 wins and 1 loss, with Germany leading the table on goal difference. This match is crucial for Germany's pursuit of qualification for the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico City. If Kimmich, who scored two goals in the previous qualifying round, plays, he will tie the record of 105 appearances held by veteran defender Kohler, moving him into the top ten of Germany's all-time appearance list. Bayer, Waltmade, and Burkart will continue their pursuit of their first international goals. Northern Ireland's main attacking force will be striker Magnis, who, if he scores, will move into the top three of the team's all-time scoring list.
October 13, 6:00 PM Friendly Match: Argentina vs. Puerto Rico
This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams in A-level competition. Earlier in the friendly, Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0 thanks to a goal from Lo Celso. Messi, who missed the previous friendly, is expected to get a chance to play against Puerto Rico. He has amassed 194 appearances and 114 goals for the Pampas Eagles, both records. Lautaro, sixth on the all-time scoring list with 33 goals, is expected to break into the top four in this match, trailing legends Maradona (34) and Crespo (35).
October 13th, 3:30 AM Friendly Match: Japan vs. Brazil
Japan has an unbeaten record of 11 wins and 2 draws in 13 matches in Brazilian A competitions, including a perfect record in their last six. Earlier, both teams played a friendly match: Japan drew 2-2 with Paraguay at home, while Brazil swept South Korea 5-0 away. In this match, Japanese striker Koki Ogawa is the player most likely to score against Brazil. He has scored 10 goals in 11 games since joining the national team. Takumi Minamino, who is 10th on the team's all-time scoring list, only needs one more goal to tie Yuya Osako's record. For Brazil, Vinicius Junior, Rodrigo, and Estebão all had outstanding performances against South Korea. Manchester United striker Cunha needs to rediscover his scoring touch quickly, having gone eight games without a goal since the start of the season.
October 14, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Latvia vs. England
In the first leg of this World Cup qualifier, England easily defeated Latvia 3-0 away. Earlier, England defeated Wales 3-0 at home in a friendly, achieving their third consecutive win in the A-level tournament without conceding a goal. Currently, England leads the World Cup qualifying standings with a perfect five games. A win away against Latvia will secure their qualification two rounds early. Latvia is in fourth place with a record of one win, two draws, and three losses, on the brink of elimination. In this match, a goal from England captain Kane, who was rested in the friendly, would break the club's all-time scoring record (currently 74 goals) and potentially tie Japanese legend Kunimoto, who has 75 goals and ranks 13th on the world's all-time scoring list. Winger Saka is also in excellent form.
October 14, 11:45 AM World Cup Qualifiers: Spain vs. Bulgaria
Spain has won five and drawn one of its six A-level matches against Bulgaria, including a 3-0 away victory in the first leg of this World Cup qualifier. In the last round of the World Cup qualifiers, Spain defeated Georgia 2-0 at home, taking their undefeated record to the top of the table with three matches to go. Bulgaria suffered a crushing 1-6 home defeat to Turkey, leaving them last in the standings with three losses. In this match, Spanish striker Oyarzabal is in excellent form, having just scored against Georgia. He is crucial to the team's victory. Ferran Torres, having just missed a penalty, will need a goal to regain his confidence against a weaker opponent.
October 14, 11:45 AM, World Cup Qualifiers: Portugal vs. Hungary
In Portugal's 15 matches against Hungary in A-level competitions, they have an unbeaten record of 11 wins and 4 draws. They secured their fourth consecutive victory in this series, winning the first leg of this World Cup qualifier 3-2 away. In the last round of the World Cup qualifiers, Portugal defeated Ireland 1-0 at home, taking their undefeated record to the top of the standings with three matches to go. Hungary secured their first victory with a 2-0 away victory over Armenia. If Portugal can defeat Hungary and third-placed Armenia fails to secure all three points, they will secure World Cup qualification two rounds early. Despite missing a penalty in the previous qualifying round, Cristiano Ronaldo remains an essential player for the team. His 114 goals in 224 appearances are both world records for a national team. Hungary's striking duo of Szalai and Varga are incredibly impactful and pose a formidable threat to Portugal's defense.
October 14, 11:45 AM, World Cup Qualifiers, Italy vs. Israel
Italy has an unbeaten record of seven wins and one draw in eight matches against Israel in A-level competitions, including a 5-4 away victory over Israel in the first leg of this World Cup qualifier. In the previous qualifying round, Italy defeated Estonia 3-1 away, extending their winning streak to four games. They are now in second place, three points behind Israel. Israel, three points behind Italy, is in third place. Italy must win this match to have a chance to face group leader Norway. A loss could jeopardize their chances of securing a play-off spot. Therefore, if Italy wants to successfully defeat Israel, it needs forwards such as Retegui, Kean and Raspadori to perform well, among which the former two scored goals in the match against Estonia.
