Wednesday 11 November 2015 11:39, UK
While Republic of Ireland and seven other European nations have their sights firmly set on the Euro 2016 play-offs, there are intriguing international fixtures taking place across the globe over the next week.
From the big showdown between Brazil and Argentina in Buenos Aires to clashes in Asia, North America and Africa, the attention for many countries has now shifted to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
There are also a host of blockbuster friendlies lined up. Here, we take a look at some of the big international fixtures outside of the Euro 2016 play-offs...
South America
One of the biggest rivalries in football will be re-ignited on November 12 when Neymar's Brazil take on an Argentina side missing injured pair Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero in World Cup qualifying.
After two games played, and with the top four teams qualifying for the World Cup, the pressure is on former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino - now in charge of Argentina - and Brazil boss Dunga to lead their teams to automatic qualification.
Slow starts have left Brazil in fifth, with three points from their two games, while Argentina are yet to score. Martino's men lost 2-0 at home to Ecuador before being held to a goalless draw by Paraguay.
Elsewhere in the South America section of World Cup qualifying, Copa America champions Chile, featuring Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, will try to maintain their perfect start to qualification against Colombia on Thursday night before taking on Edinson Cavani's Uruguay.
North America
The group stages of 2018 World Cup qualifying in North America begin on Friday night, with USA aiming to put their Gold Cup disappointment behind them. USA lost 3-2 to fierce rivals Mexico in front of 94,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in that competition but should enjoy a more sedate start on the road to Russia with a game against St Vincent & Grenadines. Jurgen Klinsmann's side then face a trip to Trinidad & Tobago four days later.
Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez and Mexico, under their new manager Juan Carlos Osorio, will play El Salvador at Estadio Azteca followed by Honduras away on Tuesday.
Asia
Australia, Japan and Iran need to bounce back from disappointing results if they are to keep pace with South Korea when the Asian leg of 2018 World Cup qualifying restarts on Thursday.
Australia fell to a 2-0 defeat in Jordan last month that put Tim Cahill and co four points behind their opponents in Group B, but they do have a game in hand. The Socceroos now face Kyrgyzstan at home where they will be looking to close the gap at the top.
Japan were held to a surprising goalless draw with Singapore at home in June and play in the return Group E match with a strong squad that includes AC Milan's Keisuke Honda and Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa.
Africa
Ghana launch their World Cup qualification campaign with a knockout round two-legged tie against much lower-ranked opponents Comoros, while reigning African champions Ivory Coast - without Wilfried Bony, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure - will play a double-header against Liberia.
Ghana will be missing Juventus' Kwadwo Asamoah, but Swansea midfielder Andre Ayew and striker Asamoah Gyan are set to return after both missed a friendly draw with Canada on October 14.
Major European friendlies
Meanwhile, back in Europe, friendlies are the order of the day for teams preparing for Euro 2016 - and there are some mouth-watering fixtures scheduled.
Roy Hodgson's England face stern tests with a trip to Spain and at home to France. Elsewhere, a Belgium team filled with Premier League stars - but without Marouane Fellaini due to injury - will take on Southampton's Graziano Pelle and Italy in Brussels before competing against Spain on Tuesday night, when Italy face Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and Poland.
On the same evening, Euro 2016 hosts France and World Cup winners Germany go head-to-head while Czech Republic play Serbia, who did not qualify for Euro 2016.
And the showdown between rivals Germany and Netherlands, who surprisingly failed to qualify for the European Championships, could be the most intriguing match-up of all on Tuesday.
