The final international break of 2025 is upon us, and Leeds United’s supporters can zone out from the club’s dismal recent form. There are a total of 16 Leeds players on international duty this month.
Concerns of Leeds’ fixture list after the international break remain a fortnight away, and for the likes of Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Jaka Bijol, attention turns to fighting for 2026 World Cup qualification.
Below, are the 16 players called up by their countries for National Team duty this month, including those out on loan and the academy players that have been selected for U21, U19, and even U17 duty.
Wales' side to face Belgium
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
The 16 Leeds United players on international duty this month
Goalkeepers
Karl Darlow (Wales)
Make or break for Darlow and Wales. Two crucial qualifiers against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia, with Wales requiring two wins to finish in the top two and at least, qualify for a play-off. Darlow is no.1.
Rory Mahady (Scotland U21)
Mahady got a standing ovation after his Scunthorpe debut from his teammates and he will be looking to take that form into U21 European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria and Gibraltar this fortnight.
Defenders
Joe Rodon (Wales)
If any Leeds player deserves plaudits for their form this season, it is Rodon. Ethan Ampadu said Rodon is finally showing what he can do, and he will hope to continue that alongside Darlow during the break.
Gabriel Gudmundsson (Sweden)
Sweden’s chances of World Cup qualification are hanging by a thread, after one point from a possible 12. They need two wins against Switzerland and Slovenia, with Graham Potter in charge for the first time.
West Ham United manager Graham Potter during a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Jaka Bijol (Slovenia)
Amid criticism for his performances after coming into the side, Bijol will now be looking to push Slovenia towards the World Cup with games against Kosovo, and then Gabriel Gudmundsson’s struggling Sweden.
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Jake Howard (England U17)
Still 16, Howard made his PL2 debut this month and got an assist against Brighton in a 2-2 draw. He’s been rewarded with a trip to Dubai with England’s U17 side. They face USA, the Ivory Coast and Australia.
Luke Matykiewicz (Northern Ireland U19)
A regular in Leeds’ U18 side, Matykiewicz was spotted in senior training recently. He jets off to Malta with Gareth McAuley’s Northern Ireland U19’s, facing Malta, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic this month.
Jayden Lienou (Wales U19)
A mini-tournament awaits summer signing Lienou, who could take his tally of Wales U19 caps to nine. They host Japan, USA and Germany as Wales prepare to host the U19 European Championships next year.
Isaac Schmidt (Switzerland)
It has been a tricky period on loan for Schmidt at German side Werder Bremen, but he retains his place in Switzerland’s side for games against Sweden and Kosovo. Noah Okafor continues to be left in Yorkshire.
Isaac Schmidt during FA Cup clash between Leeds United and Millwall.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Midfielders
Ethan Ampadu (Wales)
Ampadu will be looking to put some criticism behind him and blame for goals against West Ham and Forest, alongside Darlow, Rodon and Dan James. Ampadu is expected to start Wales’ two outings.
Ilia Gruev (Bulgaria)
After a ‘serious scandal’ involving Gruev earlier this season, the Bulgarian star continues to be called up as Bulgaria’s only player in Europe’s top-five leagues. Gruev faces tough games against Turkey and Georgia.
Ao Tanaka (Japan)
With Japan already qualifying for the World Cup in the summer, Tanaka is called up for games against Bolivia and Ghana. While friendlies, the two fixtures are part of what has become the Kirin Challenge Cup.
Ao Tanaka attends Burnley v Leeds.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Charlie Crew (Wales U21)
Just the one game for Crew, who remains on loan at Doncaster. Having earned his second Wales cap against Jesse Marsch’s Canada earlier this season, he is with the 21’s to take on Belarus on Friday.
Attackers
Dan James (Wales)
Having returned from injury, James could be set to make his first start since August if Craig Bellamy sees fit. James faces competition from Stoke’s Sorba Thomas, Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson.
Brenden Aaronson (USA)
Two more friendlies for Mauricio Pochettino’s USA, having already qualified for the World Cup as the host nation. Aaronson will face Paraguay, before taking on Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay next Wednesday.
Uruguayan coach Marcelo Bielsa seen during a World Cup
Photo by Lucas Aguayo Araos/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Sam Chambers (Scotland U19)
After a long spell on the sidelines for Chambers, the attacker is back on international duty with Scotland’s U19 side. European Championship qualifiers in Lithuania, facing Latvia, Lithuania and England, this break.