Before the season enters crunch time in April, the Bundesliga takes a break for the first international fixtures of the year. While hosts Germany will just be playing friendlies over the coming months, qualifying for EURO 2024 begins for the other European nations. fcbayern.com has put together a summary of the Bayern players who are on international duty in March:
Germany: Kimmich, Gnabry and Goretzka
The German team begin preparations for their home tournament in 2024 with two friendlies against Peru on Saturday 25 March in Mainz (20:45*) and against Belgium three days later in Cologne (Tuesday 28 March, 20:45). Head coach Hansi Flick named Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala in his squad, although Musiala has already had to return home due to a muscle strain. Thomas Müller has been given a rest by Flick as the 58-year-old looks to try out some younger players.
France: Upamecano, Pavard and Coman
For Upamecano and Co, it's the first international since losing to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final.
In Dayot Upamecano, Kingsley Coman and Benjamin Pavard, three Bayern players have been selected for France's opening qualifiers. Didier Deschamps's men host Netherlands on Friday 24 March (20:45) at the Stade de France, before heading to Dublin to take on Republic of Ireland on Monday 27 March (20:45).
Netherlands: De Ligt and Blind
Matthijs de Ligt featured for Netherlands at the winter World Cup in Qatar.
Matthijs de Ligt and Daley Blind will come up against their French teammates in EURO qualifying. After the opening match at the Stade de France on Friday, the Oranje host Gibraltar in Rotterdam on Monday night (20:45).
Switzerland: Sommer
Sommer and Switzerland reached the last 16 at the World Cup in Qatar, where they were knocked out by Portugal.
Yann Sommer and Switzerland kick off their qualification campaign against Belarus in Novi Sad, Serbia on Saturday 25 March (18:00). Then on Tuesday 28 March (20:45), the Nati host Israel in Geneva.
Croatia: Stanišić
Josip Stanišić featured in the third place play-off for Croatia at the World Cup.
Josip Stanišić is in the Croatia squad for their first two EURO qualifiers. First up are Wales in Split on Saturday 25 March (20:45), followed by a meeting with Turkey in Bursa on Tuesday 28 March (20:45).
Portugal: João Cancelo
João Cancelo made it to the final four with Portugal in Qatar. However, their journey ended in the semi-finals against Morocco.
For João Cancelo and the Portuguese national team, qualifying already gets under way on Thursday 23 March against Liechtenstein in Lisbon (20:45). On matchday two they face Luxembourg on Sunday 26 March at the Stade de Luxembourg (20:45).
Senegal: Mané
Sadio Mané missed the World Cup due to a fibula injury.
African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mané is back for Senegal after recovering from injury. Around four months since surgery on his tendon, the 30-year-old forward has been called up for his country's Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Mozambique. The first game happens on Friday 24 March (20:00) in Diamniadio, Dakar, before the return match on Tuesday 28 March (18:00) in Maputo.
Morocco: Mazraoui
Noussair Mazraoui's Morocco team became the first African country to reach a World Cup semi-final at Qatar 2022.
Two friendlies are in store for Noussair Mazraoui and Morocco. The World Cup semi-finalists play Brazil in Tanger on Saturday 25 March (23:00) and then Peru in Madrid on Tuesday 28 March (23:30).
Canada: Davies
Historic: Alphonso Davies scored Canada's first World Cup goal in Qatar.
Alphonso Davies and Canada face Curaçao in the early hours of Sunday (26 March, 3:00) in Willemstad as part of the CONCACAF Nations League. They then meet Honduras in Toronto on Wednesday 29 March (2:00). The North Americans are currently in second place with three points, behind Honduras on six but still with a semi-final place in their own hands.
Netherlands U21: Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch is in the Dutch U21 squad.
Ryan Gravenberch has been named in the Dutch U21 squad, who play two friendlies against Norway (Saturday 25 March, 18:00) and Czech Republic (Monday 27 March, 14:00) during a training camp in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain.
France U19: Tel
Mathys Tel is on duty for France U19.
Mathys Tel will be in action for France U19 in qualifying for this year's U19 European Championship. The French youngsters play Northern Ireland on Wednesday 22 March (18:00), Norway on Saturday 25 March (18:00) and Romania on Tuesday 28 March (15:00) in Orléans. The winners of the qualification tournament go through to the finals in Malta.
Germany U18: Wanner and Ibrahimović
Arijon Ibrahimović has scored two goals in six appearances so far for Germany U18.
Bayern youngsters Paul Wanner and Arijon Ibrahimović are in the German U18 squad for two friendlies against France on Friday 24 March (16:00) and Monday 27 March (11:00), both in Clairefontaine.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had to pull out of international duty for Cameroon because of back problems.
*all times CET/CEST
Bayern played Leverkusen in their final match before the international break - the report:
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