The November international window has produced several unexpected selections, with national teams turning to younger players and performers from outside the usual top clubs. The squads include a mix of first-time call-ups, returns from long absences and emergency replacements for injured regulars.
England coach Thomas Tuchel called up Jobe Bellingham for the first time, giving the 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder and former England under-21 captain the chance to share a locker room with his brother Jude Bellingham, now a star at Real Madrid. Fulham midfielder Josh King received his first senior England call-up, while Cole Palmer was omitted from the roster once again.
France coach Zinedine Zidane drafted 21-year-old defender Saël Kumbedi into the senior squad. Kumbedi, who plays for VfL Wolfsburg in the 2. Bundesliga, gets his first senior call-up after time with Gérald Baticle’s under-21 side and was selected as cover for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who suffered a hamstring injury against Fiorentina. Paris FC forward Pablo Pagis also earned his first senior France call-up.
Germany coach Jürgen Klopp surprised observers by naming 17-year-old attacking midfielder Wael Mohya of Borussia Mönchengladbach to the senior squad for matches against Serbia and the Netherlands; it is Mohya’s first call-up. Karim Adeyemi, despite strong recent showings with Barcelona, was left off the roster. Mexico coach Rafael Márquez included Osijek forward Armando León, 26, in his first Mexico call-up and recalled Jesús Manuel “Tecatito” Corona after more than four years away from the national setup.
Belgium added Monterrey forward Hugo Cuypers, 29 and born in Liège, who has scored six league goals this season, to a squad that features Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jérémy Doku; Racing Genk defender Josue Kongolo also received his first call-up. World Cup champions Spain expanded their pool with three new additions, including defender Jacobo Ramón of Como, alongside Real Betis trio Álvaro Valles and Marc Roca, underscoring attention to players developing outside the top clubs.
