Seven Ipswich Town first team players were involved during the international break as their nations chased World Cup places, while many more featured in friendlies and youth fixtures and only on‑loan striker Ali Al‑Hamadi secured World Cup qualification this International Window.

Ali Al-Hamadi, who is currently on loan at Luton, opened the scoring in Monterrey as Iraq won 2-1 against Bolivia to seal a place in the World Cup finals, ending a 40-year wait for the team and Al-Hamadi, who got his 17th and fifth senior goal.

The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup bid ended after a 2-2 draw with Czechia in the play‑off semi-final, losing on penalties. Captain Dara O’Shea started (now 43 caps), while Jack Taylor (11 caps) and Chiedozie Ogbene (32 caps; on loan at Sheffield United) also started. Sammie Szmodics ( on loan at Derby County) was stretchered off after coming on in extra time and spent the night in hospital before returning to the UK. O’Shea and Ogbene later featured in a 0-0 friendly with North Macedonia.

Anis Mehmeti, who has earned four caps, was an unused sub as Albania lost 2-1 to Poland in their play-off semi and will not...