International games are set to get underway in different continents as the November international break beckons, but the potential absence of top players for their respective countries has stolen the headlines so far.

 

 

 

 

In recent years, an increasing number of high-profile players have withdrawn from international games due to risk of injuries, even so as many of these international games are not major.

The invent of more competitions has been questioned by footballers, with many of them even going as far as suggesting a strike, so the stakeholders can understand their plights. However, their pleads have fallen on deaf hears.

With no real intentions to secure the players’ health, the trend of withdrawing from country games highlights the reality that they are but humans, and prioritise health and fitness to be effective on a long-term.

Moreso, clubs who have invested more their players are understandably cautious, prioritizing their well-being for crucial domestic and European competitions.

Even if FIFA has agreed to cover a percentage on the wages of players who pick up injuries while on international duties, it is not worth a consolation, if the player misses out on a long-term, costing their clubs the chance to maintain optimum competitiveness.

 

 

 

 

Top players like Toni Kroos and Rodri before his unfortunate ACL, have joined to speak against the congested fixtures. French defender Dayot Upamecano has also recently speak in their defence.

"Yes, why not. I've already said that there are a lot of games. It's a topic we have to discuss between us. I hope one day they'll understand that." Upamecano said in an interview with Les Bleus ahead of their UEFA Nations League games this month.

Ahead of the November international games, several top players have withdrawn, opting to remain with their respective clubs to recover from minor injuries, of which they could have played with, had it been it was a major tournament.

It is the national teams who continues to bear the brunt of FIFA and other Federations' negligence to the complains of players on their increasing number of games.

We take a look at players who will miss the international games this month, the countries affected and clubs with most players not traveling home to honour the clarion call.

Clubs who have pulled the plug on international Games and players concerned

Arsenal

Arsenal will have the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori are all out due to injuries while Thomas Partey, although fit, continues to be excused by Ghana. Probably due to his injury history recently.

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Odegaard had left to join Norway in a not so pleasing news for the club, but he returned today, insisting he has to listen to his body and continue rehabilitation. Riccardo Calafiori is still injured.

Meanwhile the duo of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have been left out by Brazil.

Chelsea

Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana will remain with the club during the break as the trio have been withdrawn as precautionary measures. Malo Gusto has also returned to the club having previously left to team up with France’s Under-21.

Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Manuel Akanji, Phil Foden, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes and Jack Grealish will not be involved with their respective countries.

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are the major Reds players out of international duties. Goalkeeper, Alisson Becker also continues his recovery from injury.

Real Madrid

 

 

 

 

Kylian Mbappé, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Lucas Vazquez, Ferlan Mendy are all out of the international break duo to injuries, although Mbappé is due to loss of form.

Barcelona

Lamine Yamal, ruled out for two to three weeks and Robert Lewandowski, out for the next ten days will also be absent from international duties with Spain and Poland respectively.

Bayern Munich

Alphonso Davies has withdrawn from Canada's squad as a "precautionary measure due to physical fatigue." Aleksandar Pavlovic is injured, Leon Goretzka wasn't invited while Kingsley Coman got a late call-up to replace Ousmane Dembele in France's squad.

PSG Paris Saint-Germain

Ousmane Dembele was initially included in Les Bleus' squad but has now withdrawn due to a hamstring discomfort.

Most affected Nations as players and clubs pulled the plug on international Games

Countries majorly affected by absentees

England's Three Lions

Huge blow for Thomas Tuchel ahead of his first assignments as the Head Coach of England's Three Lions as eight players have withdrawn from the squad he put out earlier in the month.

Headlining the list is Arsenal's duo of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who were both taken off duo to injuries in the club's stalemate with Chelsea in the Premier League London derby on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has also pulled out, alongside Chelsea duo of Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill. Phil Foden and Aaron Ramsdale complete the list.

While some of these names are confirmed to be injured, others have only been held back by their clubs to avoid risk of injuries.

Meanwhile the German tactician has called on Jarrad Branthwaite, Morgan Rogers, Jarrod Bowen, Tino Livramento and James Trafford to fill the void left by the withdrawn players.

Ghana's Black Stars

 

 

 

 

As though their poor form isn't enough a worry, eight players have withdrawn from the list of players in the latest squad for the final phase of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Ghana has just two points from four games and are on the brink of elimination, with their fate no longer in their own hands.

Otto Addo had previously not named Thomas Partey in the squad, the Arsenal midfielder was also excused for the October games, although he hasn't missed a game for his club this season.

Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, Jonas Adjetey and Jerome Opoku are the ones who have withdrawn due to obvious injuries. Some of them have missed a couple or less club games while others were taken off injured in their final appearances.

Ibrahim Osman was taken off at half-time for his club while Alexander Djiku and Antoine Semenyo have withdrawn due to fatigue and risk of injury. Joseph Painstil for personal reasons.

France

Didier Deschamps will be without Kykian Mbappé, Wesley Fofana and Ousmane Dembele.

The Under-21 team will also be without Malo Gusto, Dylan Bakwa, Maghnes Akliouche et Enzo Millot, who have all returned to their respective clubs.

Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana and Joaquin Seys have all been excluded many of whom had been previously selected by Domenico Tedesco.

Others

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Spain will be without Alvaro Morata, although Luis de la Fuente has called on young Porto striker Samuel Omorodion to take his place in the team, while Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur will also miss out for The Netherlands.