Nine FCA players selected for their countries

Matchday 7 in the Bundesliga is just around the corner, but there are also some more international games to look forward to the week after. Nine players from FC Augsburg have been selected for their respective national teams. One such player is Daniel Opare, who has made it into the Ghanaian national squad for the first time since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The 26-year-old will be part of a Ghana squad that continues its push for qualification to the finals in Russia by playing in Uganda. Ghana still have something to do to guarantee qualification for the finals, as Kwesi Appaiah’s side are currently four points off the lead in third place, and only the team in first will progress automatically. A win against second placed Uganda would go a long way in their effort to close the gap. Ghana will also play in a friendly three days later against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday 10th October. South Korea’s Ja-Cheol Koo and Dong-Won Ji are already qualified for the World Cup in Russia. It’s now all about preparing for the tournament next year, and the first step for Shin Tae-Yong’s side is a friendly against Russia on Saturday 7th October. They’ll then play Tunisia three days later. Unfortunately, Venezuela’s luck has run out when it comes to World Cup qualification. However, this won’t stop “La Vinotinto” and FCA’s Sergio Córdova from wanting to put on a good display in their remaining games. Venezuela will host Uruguay on Thursday 5th October before travelling to face Paraguay on Tuesday 10th October. Alfred Finnbogason and Iceland were the surprise team of the 2016 Euros in France, and now the Icelanders want to also qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever. They’re currently in second place on the same amount of points as group leaders Croatia, but they can guarantee qualification with a little bit of help from their competitors. On Friday 6th October, Iceland will travel to Turkey to play in a crucial game against the team in third place, before welcoming last placed Kosovo to Iceland on Monday 9th October. Things are even more difficult for Austria and FCA’s Martin Hinteregger, Michael Gregoritsch and Kevin Danso. The best place they can possibly finish is in second, which would only guarantee them a place in a playoff game. On top of two victories against Serbia on Friday 6th October, as well as against Moldova on Monday 9th October, the Austrians need a lot of things to go their way in other fixtures for them to stand any sort of chance. Elsewhere, qualification is in sight for the Switzerland squad. Already holding a three point lead over second placed Portugal, a win in their matchup on Tuesday 10th October would put automatic qualification beyond all doubt. Their other game in the break will be played against Hungary on Saturday 7th October. FCA goalkeeper Marwin Hitz has been selected for the squad again.