Ten Chelsea players have been called up for senior international duty during the March break, with matches scheduled from this Wednesday to next Tuesday. Several of them are expected to start for their national teams, offering fans plenty to watch. In their final match before the break, Chelsea suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
England's strong Chelsea contingent
England boasts the most Chelsea representation, with Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Cole Palmer called up for World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions will face Albania at Wembley Stadium on Friday, followed by a match against Latvia at the same venue on Monday.
Pedro Neto and Filip Jorgensen in the UEFA Nations League
Pedro Neto will represent Portugal in the UEFA Nations League A Championship quarter-finals. His nation faces Denmark, whose squad includes Filip Jorgensen, called up for the first time. The first leg will be played at Parken Stadium in Denmark on Thursday, with the return leg at Estádio José Alvalade in Portugal on Sunday. The winner will meet either Italy or Germany in a one-off semi-final in June.
Cucurella's Spanish Showdown
Marc Cucurella will also be involved in the Nations League A Championship quarter-finals as Spain faces the Netherlands. The first leg is set for Thursday at Stadion Feijenoord, Netherlands, followed by the return leg at Estadio de Mestalla, Spain, on Sunday. Should the European champions advance, they would face the winner of the France vs. Croatia tie.
South American spotlight: Fernandez, Estevao, and Ecuador Duo
Across the Atlantic, Enzo Fernandez and Argentina, the defending World Cup and Copa America champions, continue their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. They face Uruguay on Saturday at Estadio Centenario and then Brazil at Estadio Monumental on Wednesday at midnight GMT.
Speaking of Brazil, teenage forward Estevao, set to join Chelsea from Palmeiras next season,y has earned a call-up. Brazil faces Colombia at Arena BRB Mané Garrincha on Friday before the high-stakes clash with Argentina. Currently, the five-time World Cup winners sit fifth in the qualification table.
Ecuador, sitting above Brazil, has called up Moisés Caicedo and Kendry Paez, who will officially join Chelsea from Independiente del Valle later this year. They host Venezuela at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on Friday and travel to Chile for a Wednesday fixture at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, kicking off at midnight GMT.
Chelsea fans have plenty to track over the international break, with their stars competing across Europe and South America in crucial fixtures.
Full fixture list
Wednesday, March 20
- Denmark vs. Portugal - UEFA Nations League A Championship Quarter-final, First Leg
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
Players Involved: Filip Jorgensen (Denmark); Pedro Neto (Portugal)
- Netherlands vs. Spain - UEFA Nations League A Championship Quarter-final, First Leg
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
Player Involved: Marc Cucurella
Friday, March 22
- Colombia vs. Brazil - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 12.45 am GMT
Player Involved: Estevao
- Albania vs. England - UEFA World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
Players Involved: Reece James, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer
- Uruguay vs. Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 7.45 pm GMT
Player Involved: Enzo Fernandez
- Ecuador vs. Venezuela - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 9.00 pm GMT
Players Involved: Moisés Caicedo, Kendry Paez
Sunday, March 24
- Portugal vs. Denmark - UEFA Nations League A Championship Quarter-final, Second Leg
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
Players Involved: Pedro Neto (Portugal); Filip Jorgensen (Denmark)
- Spain vs. Netherlands - UEFA Nations League A Championship Quarter-final, Second Leg
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
Player Involved: Marc Cucurella
Monday, March 25
- England vs. Latvia - UEFA World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 7:45 pm GMT
Player Involved: Reece James, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer
Wednesday, March 27
- Brazil vs. Argentina - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 12:00 am GMT
Players Involved: Estevao (Brazil); Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)
- Chile vs. Ecuador - CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier
Kick-off: 12:00 am GMT
Players Involved: Moisés Caicedo, Kendry Paez