With this year’s World Cup tourmanet fast approaching, all eyes will be on the international scene over the next week to see which teams will qualify for the remaining spots at this summer’s showpiece event. As well as the conclusion of the World Cup qualification stage, there are a number of countries who will participate in friendly fixtures as they begin their preparations for the summer tournament. There are 10 Celtic first-team players who will be involved for their national sides during this international break, with two hoping to help their countries to reach the World Cup group stages. After a stunning 2-0 win against Portugal in Dublin, followed by a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hungary in November, the Republic of Ireland secured their place in the World Cup play-off semi-finals where they will face the Czech Republic tomorrow night, and Liam Scales will hope that he can play his part in helping the boys in green to a play-off final where they would face either Denmark or North Macedonia. For Benjamin Nygren and Sweden, a trip to Valencia to face Ukraine tomorrow (March 26) awaits, and a victory would secure their place in a play-off final against either Poland or Albania. The USA, who are one of the host nations for this summer’s World Cup, are in friendly action, with Auston Trusty and his team-mates taking on Belgium on Saturday (March 28) and Portugal next Wednesday (April 1). Another of the host nations, and Alistair Johnston’s national side, Canada, will also take part in two friendly games, the first of which comes against Iceland on Saturday (March 28) before they take on a Tunisia side which includes Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti on April 1. Viljami Sinisalo, who has been called up by the Finland national side again, will travel to New Zealand for a friendly in Auckland on March 27 before taking on Cape Verde three days later. After his positive performances in recent months, Yang has been called up to the South Korea side for their upcoming friendly matches against the Ivory Coast and Austria. With Scotland’s place at the World Cup already secured, Steve Clarke’s side will take on Japan in a friendly at Hampden on Saturday (March 28), with Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston set to face their Celtic team-mate, Daizen Maeda. After facing Japan, Scotland will travel down south to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium where they will meet the Ivory Coast, whilst Japan will make the trip to Wembley to face England.
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