The Magpies have several players hoping to be involved in the 2026 World Cup
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn
Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn in actio for Italy, Brazil and England
The countdown is on to the 2026 World Cup, with places already booked at the showcase tournament next summer. The qualification games will be wrapped up in November, with play-offs following for some of the sides who missed out on an automatic place.
In Europe, the 12 sides who win their qualification group will make it to the USA, Mexico and Canada, with the 12 runners-up competing for four remaining spots.
A total of 17 countries have already qualified, with 19 spots up for grabs - mainly from Europe - in what will be a bumper 36-team competition.
Newcastle United are set to be represented by several stars, while there are opportunities for others to grab a place in the national squads before the line-ups are confirmed. Here's the latest situation on the United players hoping to be on the plane next summer.
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England
Potential call-ups: Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey
Newcastle have four players in serious contention for a place on the plane, with a few others holding a slim hope. Thomas Tuchel's side look a shoo-in to qualify and will be effectively there if they beat Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday night.
Even a surprise defeat to the Serbs would not change the fact England are in control of their group, with three more games to play against Latvia, Serbia and Albania.
You would expect Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento to feature, while Dan Burn has been a regular under Tuchel and Lewis Hall could well compete with Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
Goalkeepers Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale are outside bets having missed out on recent squads, while Jacob Ramsey could make a late push with a strong season for United.
Brazil
Potential call-ups: Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton
It wouldn't be a World Cup with out Brazil, and the South American giants will once again play in next summer's tournament.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently second in the CONMEBOL standings, some distance behind leaders Argentina, but already guaranted a place in the top six and therefore the World Cup
United skipper Bruno Guimaraes has continued to play a key role under Ancelotti, scoring in the 3-0 win over Chile last time out, while Joelinton could yet break back into the squad.
Italy
Potential call-ups: Sandro Tonali
Gennaro Gattuso's Italy have a bit of work to do if they are to book an automatic squad, after losing 3-0 to Norway in June. They face the Norwegian's in the final group game in Milan in November in what could be a winner-takes-all encounter.
Second spot earns a place in the play-offs againt the other group runners-up, but after missing out in 2018 and 2022, a third consecutive World Cup without Italy is almost unthinkable.
Sandro Tonali is a key member of Gattuso's midfield and will no doubt make the squad should they qualify.
Germany
Potential call-ups: Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw
After the shock 2-0 defeat to Slovakia, Germany got back on track by beating Northern Ireland 3-1 on Sunday night. The Germans are expected to qualify comfortably - Luxembourg make up the group - but must avenge the defeat when the face Slovakia in Leipzig in November.
Woltemade started both games in this international break, while Thiaw was left out of Julian Nagelsmann's squad this time around, but would be in with a good chance on making a World Cup group.
Sweden
Potential call-ups: Anthony Elanga, Emil Krafth
Sweden have a tough task, with Switzerland, Slovenia and Kosovo competing for the one automatic qualifying spot in Group B. Anthony Elanga was on target in their opening 2-2 draw in Slovenia, with a game against Kosovo tonight.
Krafth continues to be part of Jon-Dahl Tomasson's squad and there no other Swedes of interest is there? No, definitely not.
Netherlands
Potential call-ups: Sven Botman
Botman needs a strong season with United to work his way back into the Dutch squad after dropping down the pecking order due to recent injury issues. He's got a few decent candidates ahead of him, with Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Stefan de Vrij and Nathan Ake ahead of him.
The Dutch are battling with Poland for top spot in Group G. Both are tied on 10 points, although the Netherlands have played a game less. The two sides drew 1-1 in Rotterdam last week and go head to head in Warsaw in November.
DR Congo
Potential call-ups: Yoane Wissa
It could be a busy international year for Newcastle's newest No 9, with the African Cup of Nations taking place in January. Nine African countries will take part in the World Cup, with the winners of the eight groups automatically qualifying, and a ninth earning place from a play-off.
As things stand, Wissa's Demorcatic Republic of Congo are in pole position to win Group B, although a lot will ride on Tuesday night's showdown with second-placed Senegal at Kinshasa. They then face Togo and Sudan to complete their qualification schedule.