After two more promising but frustrating results in the league, the international break comes at an annoying time for Wolves as they continue to chase that elusive first Premier League win. Lots of the squad are away on international duty and here is who is involved:
Jose Sa, who has recently been dropped for former England international Sam Johnstone, continues to be called up to the Portugal squad alongside Diogo Costa and Rui Silva. Portugal will be hoping to continue their perfect record in their World Cup qualifiers as they face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday followed by Hungary on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely Jose Sa will get any minutes.
Emmanuel Agbadou, just like Jose Sa, has been dropped from the starting eleven by Vitor Pereira in recent weeks. He will be hoping an international break can help find a bit of confidence to cement himself back into the Wolves XI. Agbadou was an unused substitute in both of Ivory Coast’s last international games, and just like he is for Wolves currently, will look to fight to get into the starting XI as Ivory Coast face Seychelles on Friday and Kenya next Tuesday.
Ladislav Krejci, arguably Wolves’ signing of the season so far, finds himself a regular for club and country. The first Czech player for Wolves faces Croatia on Thursday as well as the Faroe Islands on Sunday as Czech Republic continues to battle to qualify for the World Cup next year.
Santiago Bueno, who has been Krejci’s partner in central defence as part of a new look Wolves team will be hoping his new form in old gold will give him some minutes over this international break. Bueno will face the Dominican Republic on Friday and Uzbekistan on Monday in friendlies, as Uruguay have already confirmed their qualification for the World Cup. This may lead to Uruguay experimenting with hopefully Santiago Bueno given a chance as last international break he was unused in both fixtures.
Yerson Mosquera, who has struggled to solidify a starting place in the Wolves team since his season ending injury last season has been called up again for his national side. Like Bueno, Mosquera didn’t play a minute last international duty, however as Colombia have too qualified for the World Cup, they have two friendlies this time out. Colombia face Mexico in the early hours on Sunday followed by Canada on Wednesday where Mosquera will be hoping to make his appearance for his country since September 2024.
Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose effort against Brighton rattled the post in the 75th minute which was so close to opening his Premier League account and giving Wolves their first win. Strand Larsen has been recalled for Norway as he missed the last international break due to his achilles issue. David Moller Wolfe, who has struggled for minutes so far for Wolves was a regular last time out on international duty grabbed himself an assist as Norway secured an impressive 11-1 win against Moldova. Norway face Israel on Saturday and New Zealand on Tuesday in a friendly as they hope to maintain their fantastic form to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
Fer Lopez, who is yet to make an appearance after grabbing an assist in the defeat to Leeds is recalled for the Spain U21s after Marc Bernal was withdrawn from the squad late on. Last time out he trained with the senior team and also assisted against Kosovo and will hope to be involved in the goals again as the Spain U21s face Finland U21s on Tuesday.
Jackson Tchatchoua, who battled well against Yankubah Mintah on Sunday, is recalled for Cameroon as expected. After the defeat against Cape Verde last time out Cameroon have a tough ask to top their group as they trail four points with two games to play. These games are against Mauritius on Wednesday and against Angola on Monday where Tchatchoua will be expected to start.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who was capped last time out for Haiti, awaits his first win for his nation as they face Nicaragua on Friday and Honduras on Tuesday. After two draws Haiti will need good results this time round for a chance to qualify in the World Cup.
Marshall Munetsi, whose powerful volley caused the opening goal in Sunday’s draw against Brighton, has been called up for Zimbabwe alongside Tawanda Chirewa. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe are out of the qualifying for the World Cup. However, they can affect Tolu Arokadare’s Nigeria if they can have an unlikely upset against South Africa on Friday. Zimbabwe also face Lesotho on Monday.
Tolu Arokodare netted the deciding goal against Rwanda last international duty as well as a substitute appearance against South Africa as Nigeria face an uphill battle to qualify for the World Cup. Nigeria trail by four points and would need positive results against Lesotho on Friday as well as a qualification decider against Benin on Tuesday.
The biggest change in Wolves internationals this break is the Brazilian duo of Andre and Joao Gomes being recalled to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Brazil, like the rest of the South American players in the squad, are already through so Brazil face Hwang-Hee Chan’s South Korea on Friday and Japan on Tuesday. South Korea face Paraguay on Tuesday who have already qualified for the World Cup too.
That concludes Wolves’ internationals this time out as the squad hopes to gain some winning confidence as two huge games follow as Wolves face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and Burnley at Molineux.
Written by Dylan Tubey
