MARCH INTERNATIONALS PREVIEW

A closer look at the Clarets away on international duty and their upcoming fixtures over the coming days

10 Clarets are set to represent their countries over the next few days around the globe with seven called up to senior squads and three with U21 teams.

First up, on Thursday night Johann Berg Gudmundsson could feature in Iceland’s crucial UEFA Nations League Qualifier with Israel, whilst defender Hjalmar Ekdal could play in Sweden’s friendly in Portugal.

Friday could then see five Clarets in action as England’s U21s & James Trafford face Azerbaijan in Baku in the first of two U21 UEFA Euro’s Qualifiers.

Arijanet Muric could feature as Kosovo travel to Armenia for a friendly on Friday afternoon, with young French duo Maxime Esteve & Wilson Odobert involved in France’s U23s squad, as Thierry Henry’s side prepare to face Ivory Coast on Friday night.

The final of the Friday fixtures sees Norway host Czech Republic in Oslo in the first of two friendlies in Norway for Sander Berge.

Ireland host Belgium on Saturday evening in Dublin where Josh Cullen and Dara O’Shea could be involved, before hosting Switzerland on Tuesday night at the Aviva Stadium.

Thursday

Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Iceland) v Israel 7:45pm (N)

Iceland take on Israel in the UEFA Nations League play-offs semi-final, which will see the winner of that clash face either Bosnia & Herzegovina or Ukraine on Tuesday night for a place in this summers EURO Finals.

Iceland’s fourth place finish in their qualifying group teed up their tie with Israel, who finished third and missed out on automatic qualification by just two points.

Although Iceland missed out on the last EURO’s in 2021, Gudmundsson and his teammates enjoyed great success in the 2016 tournament after defeating England and reaching the quarter-finals.

Next fixture – v TBC

Hjalmar Ekdal (Sweden) v Portugal 7:45pm (A)

Sweden kick off their March international break with a trip to Portugal on Thursday night for a friendly, after Ekdal and his teammates missed out on qualification for this summers EURO’s in October.

The Swedes then host Albania at the Friends Arena on Monday night for the second friendly of their March fixtures.

Next fixture – v Albania, Monday 25th March, 6:00pm (H)

Friday

James Trafford (England U21s) v Azerbaijan 12:00pm (A)

The Three Lions continue their U21 EURO’s qualification on Friday afternoon in Baku as England, who currently sit second in the group, could move back to the top with three points against Azerbaijan.

Lee Carsley’s side then host Luxembourg on Tuesday night at Bolton Wanderers’ Toughsheet Community Stadium in the second of the two March qualifiers, where England have only lost once in their first five group fixtures.

Next fixture – v Luxembourg, Tuesday 26th March, 7:00pm (H)

Maxime Esteve & Wilson Odobert (France U23s) v Portugal 8:00pm (H)

Thierry Henry’s side have two home friendlies over this international break, first up the young ‘Les Bleus’ host Ivory Coast on Friday night in Sochaux.

France, who are currently top of their U21 EURO’s group, then face USA on Monday night in their second friendly fixture at the Stade Gaston Petit in Chateauroux.

Next fixture – v USA, Monday 25th March, 8:00pm (H)

Arijanet Muric (Kosovo) v Armenia 4:00pm (A)

Kosovo missed out on this summer’s EURO’s by just six points and will now prepare to face Armenia in the first of the two friendly fixtures scheduled for March.

Muric and his side will travel to Yerevan on Friday afternoon before then taking on Hungary on Tuesday afternoon in Budapest.

Next fixture – v Hungary, Tuesday 26th March, 6:00pm (H)

Sander Berge (Norway) v Czech Republic 5:00pm (H)

Norway kick off their Oslo friendly double-header on Friday evening as Czech Republic travel to Scandinavia after narrowly missing out on the EURO’s in November.

The second friendly will see Berge and his teammates face Slovakia at the Ullevaal stadium before Norway prepare to begin their UEFA Nations League campaign in September.

Next fixture – v Slovakia, Tuesday 26th March, 6:00pm (H)

Saturday

Zeki Amdouni (Switzerland) v Denmark 7:00pm (A)

Amdouni helped his side secure a place in the upcoming EURO’s, as the Swiss forward featured in the majority of their qualifying matches and scored six goals across the qualifying campaign which saw the 23-year-old come 5th in the goalscoring ranks.

Switzerland now begin their preparation for the summer with two friendlies this month, first up a trip to Copenhagen to face Denmark on Saturday evening before visiting Dublin to face Ireland and Burnley teammates Josh Cullen & Dara O’Shea.

Next fixture – v Ireland, Tuesday 26th March, 7:45pm (A)

Josh Cullen & Dara O’Shea (Ireland) v Belgium 5:00pm (H)

The Irish duo begin their March fixtures on Saturday evening as Ireland host Belgium at the Aviva Stadium before entertaining Switzerland and potentially coming up against teammate Zeki Amdouni in Dublin.

After surpassing the 30 caps mark in November, Cullen will be looking to continue his success with the Boys in Green after also winning Ireland’s Men’s Player of the Year for 2023.

Next fixture – v Switzerland, Tuesday 26th March, 7:45pm (H)