From Reykjavik to Riga: The 15 Milan players called up for international duty

The second international break of the 2025-26 season has arrived, and Milanello will certainly look a lot more empty.

In the September break there were 12 players called up to represent their respective countries, and this time the number is even bigger. In total, when counting youth internationals, the total this time around has risen to 15.

Those Rossoneri players will leave Milanello to join up with their national teams for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, the upcoming U21 European Championship or friendlies. The commitments for each have been outlined below.

Mike Maignan, Christopher Nkunku, Adrien Rabiot (France)

➤ France v Azerbaijan: Friday 10 October, 20:45 CEST, Paris – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Iceland v France: Monday 13 October, 20:45 CEST, Reykjavik – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia)

➤ Serbia v Albania: Saturday 11 October, 20:45 CEST, Leskovac – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Andorra v Serbia: Tuesday 14 October, 20:45 CEST, Andorra – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (England)

➤ England v Wales: Thursday 9 October, 20:45 CEST, London – Friendly
➤ Latvia v England: Tuesday 14 October, 20:45 CEST, Riga – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Alexis Saelemaekers and Koni De Winter (Belgium)

➤ Belgium v North Macedonia: Friday 10 October, 20:45 CEST, Ghent – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Wales v Belgium: Monday 13 October, 20:45 CEST, Cardiff – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Matteo Gabbia (Italy)

➤ Estonia v Italy: Saturday 11 October, 20:45 CEST, Tallinn – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Italy v Israel: Tuesday 14 October, 20:45 CEST, Udine – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Luka Modrić (Croatia)

➤ Czech Republic v Croatia: Thursday 9 October, 20:45 CEST, Prague – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Croatia v Gibraltar: Sunday 12 October, 20:45 CEST, Varaždin – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Rafael Leão (Portugal)

➤ Portugal v Ireland: Saturday 11 October, 20:45 CEST, Lisbon – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Portugal v Hungary: Tuesday 14 October, 20:45 CEST, Lisbon – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)

➤ Mexico v Colombia: Sunday 12 October, 03:00 CEST, Arlington (USA) – Friendly
➤ Mexico v Ecuador: Wednesday 15 October, 00:00 CEST, Guadalajara – Friendly

Pervis Estupiñan (Ecuador)

➤ USA v Ecuador: Saturday 11 October, 02:30 CEST, Austin – Friendly
➤ Mexico v Ecuador: Wednesday 15 October, 00:00 CEST, Guadalajara – Friendly

Christian Pulisic (USA)

➤ USA v Ecuador: Saturday 11 October, 02:30 CEST, Austin – Friendly
➤ USA v Australia: Wednesday 15 October, 03:00 CEST, Commerce City – Friendly

Davide Bartesaghi (Italy U21)

➤ Italy v Sweden: Friday 10 October, 18:15 CEST, Cesena – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers
➤ Italy v Armenia: Tuesday 14 October, 18:15 CEST, Cremona – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers

Zachary Athekame (Switzerland U21)

➤ Switzerland v Iceland: Friday 10 October, 18:30 CEST, Lucerne – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers
➤ Faroe Islands v Switzerland: Tuesday 14 October, 19:00 CEST, Tórshavn – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers