What is the answer to Newcastle United's struggles?
Newcastle United latest news: Sandro Tonali and Dan Burn were in action for Italy and England in World Cup qualifiers on Thursday night.
Two Newcastle United players were in action for their country on Thursday night as World Cup qualifying campaigns slowly started coming to an end - although only one of them would earn a cap. This international break, the final one of 2025 and the penultimate one of the season, will have huge ramifications for nations across the world as they look to book their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
A place in the competition, which will be jointly-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the USA, is the ultimate goal for nations across the world. But for one European heavyweight, their place in that tournament is far from guaranteed.
Whilst England have booked their spot in the draw next month, Sandro Tonali’s Italy are on the verge of once again having to compete in a play-off. Italy were beaten by North Macedonia in a play-off match during the last World Cup qualification campaign and were not part of the 32 teams that headed to Qatar in 2022.
Here, we take a look at how Newcastle United’s international representatives have fared so far this break, and what faces some others that haven’t yet kicked a ball for their nations.
Newcastle United’s international representatives - round-up
Dan Burn (England)
Burn was an unused substitute at Wembley as England beat Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifying match. Goals from Bukayo Saka and Ebere Eze earned the Three Lions a 2-0 win. They face Albania on Sunday having won seven out of seven in qualifying.
England 2-0 Serbia - Thursday 13 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Albania v England - Sunday 16 November (5pm kick-off)
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Sandro Tonali (Italy)
Italy’s hopes of automatic qualification for next summer’s World Cup hang by a thread heading into their final match against Norway. Italy currently trail Norway by three points in the group and have a vastly inferior goal difference - due in large part to Norway’s thumping 11-1 win over Moldova in September.
On Thursday night, Italy limped to a 2-0 win over Moldova, whilst Norway thrashed Estonia 4-1, meaning nothing but an Italian victory by a margin of nine or more goals will see the Azzurri secure automatic qualification for the World Cup. Tonali, meanwhile, played the full match against Moldova even though Gennaro Gattuso revealed earlier this week that Tonali wouldn’t feature as he was at risk of suspension had he been shown a yellow card in that game.
Moldova 0-2 Italy - Thursday 13 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Italy v Norway - Sunday 16 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil)
For once, Guimaraes won’t be travelling too far during an international break. Brazil have two friendly matches to play with the first against Senegal taking place at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Brazil will then head to the French city of Lille to take on Tunisia. Guimaraes will be desperate to impress Carlo Ancelotti in the penultimate international break before next summer’s World Cup.
Brazil v Senegal - Saturday 15 November (4pm kick-off)
Brazil v Tunisia - Tuesday 18 November (7:30pm kick-off)
Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw (Germany)
Woltemade scored his first ever goal for the senior German national team during the last international break and has the chance to add to his tally this month. Thiaw, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his good form at club level with a first call-up to the Germany squad since October 2023.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side haven’t yet secured their place at the 2026 World Cup but will do so with two wins from their two games this week.
Luxembourg v Germany - Friday 14 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Germany v Slovakia - Monday 17 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Anthony Elanga (Sweden)
Elanga has a new manager to impress at international level after Sweden parted company with Jon Dahl Tomasson last month. Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter will take charge of Sweden for the first time this week and will use this time to prepare his squad for crucial Nations League games in March - matches that could give Sweden a backdoor route to the World Cup.
Switzerland v Sweden - Saturday 15 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Sweden v Slovenia - Tuesday 18 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley (England U21’s)
For a variety of reasons, both Hall and Miley have found regular gametime at Newcastle United hard to come by this season. A decent chunk of minutes away with the England youth set-up could be what they need to transform their respective seasons.
England U21 v Republic of Ireland U21 - Friday 14 November (7:45pm kick-off)
Slovakia U21 v England U21 - Tuesday 18 November (5pm kick-off)
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