October internationals: who's playing and when

Scotland, Austria, the Republic of Ireland, and Switzerland are all hoping to keep their 2023 Women's World Cup dreams alive as they embark on decisive UEFA qualifiers this week.  

First up, Manuela Zinsberger and Laura Wienroither's Austria clash with Jen Beattie's Scotland in Glasgow (Oct 6). Katie McCabe's Republic of Ireland side will face the winner of that game in the second-round play-off on October 11. 

Lia Walti and Noelle Maritz are also automatically through to the second-round play-offs with Switzerland. Their opponent will be decided by the outcome of Wales' match against Bosnia and Herzegovina (Oct 6).

Following the culmination of the play-offs, the nine teams will be ranked according to their performances in the group stages and play-offs. The two highest-placed teams will book their place at the 2023 World Cup. The third runner-up will then have a while to wait before they head to the intercontinental play-offs in February 2023.

UEFA have confirmed that VAR will be used in all the European play-off matches.

There are also several Gunners in international friendly action. Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy are in the England squad as they prepare to take on the US Women's National Team in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd (Oct 7). A friendly against the Czech Republic follows (Oct 11).

Captain Leah Williamson also received a call-up to the Lionesses but withdrew from the squad due to injury.

Vivianne Miedema also withdrew from the Dutch squad and will not take part in their friendly against Norway due to illness.

Frida Maanum is set to appear as Norway take on the Netherlands (Oct 11) and Brazil (Oct 7). Our midfielder and her fellow Norwegian teammates qualified for the World Cup during last month's international break. 

Our Swedish attacking duo Stina Blackstenius and Lina Hurtig have some tough friendlies this October, facing Spain (Oct 7) and France (Oct 11). 

Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley are also in action for the Matildas, but they won't have far to travel this time. Australia play South Africa at Chelsea's Kingsmeadow (Oct 8) and Denmark at the Viborg Stadium (Oct 11).