Top games to watch this weekend
Friday
Netherlands vs France (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Ireland Republic vs Greece (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Austria vs Belgium (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Portugal vs Slovakia (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Curacao vs Panama (CONCACAF Nations League)
Japan vs Canada (Friendly)
England vs Australia (Friendly)
Saturday
Ukraine vs North Macedonia (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Italy vs Malta (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Denmark vs Kazakhstan (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Nashville vs New England (MLS)
Dallas vs Colorado Rapids (MLS)
LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake (MLS)
USA vs Germany (Friendly)
Mexico vs Ghana (Friendly)
Monterrey vs Tigres UANL (Club Friendly)
Sunday
Switzerland vs Belarus (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Norway vs Spain (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Turkey vs Latvia (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Wales vs Croatia (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Poland vs Moldova (UEFA Euro Qualifying)
Haiti vs Jamaica (Concacaf Nations League)
Honduras vs Cuba (Concacaf Nations League)
Talleres Córdoba vs Boca Juniors (Copa Argentina)
América vs Guadalajara (Club Friendly)
Most-watched soccer games in the USA: October 2-8, 2023
Another week has gone by and it has been a successful one for soccer in the USA. While no match broke the one-million mark, several fixtures garnered strong viewership last week, with the NWSL showdown between OL Reign and Washington Spirit taking the top spot.
The two teams played out a goalless draw to nearly 700,000 average viewers on CBS, which is a lovely reminder of women's soccer's growth in the USA. The other two slots on this list went to Univision and NBC thanks to a UEFA Champions League tie and an unexpected Premier League fixture.
Second on the podium is Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Porto in Europe, with this fixture racking in 625,000 average viewers for the aforementioned Spanish-language network. In third we have Crystal Palace's nil-nil draw with Nottingham Forest, which garnered 592,000 average viewers for NBC in a weekend when Arsenal hosted Man City, Liverpool visited Brighton, and Manchester United faced Brentford.
For a full breakdown of the most-watched soccer games in the USA last week, click here.
What are this weekend's must-watch games?
Netherlands vs France live this Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET on FS2 and ViX
Two continental giants face off in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, with the Netherlands welcoming France to the Johan Cruyff Arena in a highly-anticipated Friday encounter. The two-time World Cup winners enter this clash in tremendous form, having won every single qualifier up till now. In fact, they are one of only two teams so far with a perfect record and will aim to keep that winning streak intact when they visit the Dutch. The Netherlands, on the other hand, are in second but are a whopping six points adrift of the group leaders. However, the hosts have a game in hand and can flip the script with a victory over Deschamps' side.
Portugal vs. Slovakia live this Friday at 2:45 p.m. ET on Fubo Sports Network, fuboTV, and ViX
Portugal, who alongside France are the only other team with a perfect record in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, will also be in action on Friday, taking on Slovakia. These two sides locked horns in the last international break, with Cristiano and Co. winning 1-0. Does a second consecutive defeat await the visitors? Do not miss this clash.
USA vs Germany live this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, UNIVERSO, Peacock, HBO Max, and TNT USA
While most of the excitement is going on in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, there will be one interesting friendly taking place. That is Germany's showdown with the USMNT, with Julian Nagelsmann set to make his debut since being appointed the European giants' manager. Results have been poor for the four-time World Cup winners as of late, with Hansi Flick being sacked as a result. Meanwhile, the Stars and Stripes aim to maintain their winning streak since their disappointing CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign and will want to register a memorable victory over Germany.
Norway vs. Spain live this Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Plus and ViX
Group A is arguably the most interesting group in the Euro 2024 qualifiers as Norway, Spain, and Scotland are all in contention for qualification. The earlier two face off this Sunday in what could be a pivotal clash for the Norwegians. Haaland and Co. recently beat Cyprus 4-0 but are third in their group. Meanwhile, Spain enter this tie on the back of their controversial 2-0 victory over Scotland but La Furia Roja remain second behind the Tartan Army.
Although the men's game has paused due to another international break, the women's club season is in full swing, with plenty of great games coming up over the next week.
Here's all you need to know ahead of another exciting weekend of women's soccer.
What to watch in women's soccer: October 13th to October 15th
NCAA
For fans of college soccer, they will have plenty of games to follow over the next few days. Fans in the USA can follow many of these games via live streaming through ESPN+ and the ESPN App, which also provides games from the ACC Network. Additional live-streaming options also include fuboTV, while the SEC Network will also be carrying some games on TV. Live streaming is also accessible through SEC Network +.
For a detailed schedule of games, including where and how you can watch them, check out our special NCAA Division I women's soccer page here.
D1 Féminine
Matchday four of the 2023/24 D1 Féminine season gets underway on Friday as Bordeaux, who are already struggling, host a Montpellier side who have started out their campaign on the right footing. Most of the action takes place this weekend, with key games including a David vs. Goliath clash starring Paris, who are in first place, welcoming last-placed Guingamp, while PSG will be hoping to continue working their way up the table in a tricky home match against Reims, who also will have the same idea.
Meanwhile, Lyon, who are the reigning champions, will naturally aim to pick up all three points against a floundering Saint-Etienne side - especially considering that Paris, who are presently ahead of Lyon in the table on goal difference, will be the natural favorites to also win their match against relegation-threatened Guingamp.
Frauen-Bundesliga
The fourth round of games in the 2023/24 Frauen-Bundesliga season also kicks off on Friday with Nürnberg, who sit last in the table and have yet to win a game so far this season, certainly facing an uphill battle when second-placed Hoffenheim come to town. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich, who come into this campaign as the reigning champions, will need to clinch a crucial win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday if die Roten, who sit in third, want to avoid slipping further behind Hoffenheim and current league leaders Wolfsburg.
With Wolfsburg not in action until Sunday, when they will travel to lock horns with RB Leipzig, things could get very interesting over the course of this upcoming round of fixtures. At the moment, Wolfsburg are the only side to have won all three of their games so far this season, but the German giants could find themselves down in third place even before kick-off should both Hoffenheim and Bayern win their respective games.
Women's Super League
A London Derby will be on the cards to usher in a new round of fixtures for the 2023/24 Women's Super League season. Reigning champions Chelsea will seek to rebound after a 1-1 draw to Manchester City last time out. The Blues will be facing West Ham on Saturday, who come into this match having earned a vital 2-0 win over Brighton last time out.
Sunday is set to be a very busy day for WSL fans. Leicester City, who have had a brilliant start to the season with two wins from their first two games, will hope to stay on top of the table as they prepare to lock horns with Manchester United. The Red Devils, for their part, are viewed as one of the contenders for the title this season, but will be seeking a restart after a frustrating draw in their last game.
Manchester City, who are another hopeful team for the WSL title, will also be seeking to get three points on the board when they host a Bristol City side who have had a nightmare start to the nascent season. Also on Sunday, Liverpool will be hosting Everton in a Merseyside Derby.
Other fixtures taking place this round include Arsenal vs Aston Villa and Brighton vs Tottenham.
Top news in women's soccer
England ace Beth Mead reportedly set to make comeback soon after long injury lay-off
Arsenal's Beth Mead's journey back to full fitness has been a long and difficult struggle, but the England star is almost set to return to the pitch.
An ACL injury in November 2022 forced Mead to miss out on the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, meaning that she has now been out of competitive action for 11 months. However, she has reportedly ramped up her recovery process and in addition to taking part in full training with her squad, also got some game time with the youth team to help her regain some of her match fitness.
Mead's return certainly will come as a huge boost for Arsenal, who have yet to fully find their footing after a wobbly start to the season.
Didn't find your favorite women's league on this list? No worries, as this is just a highlight of some of the exciting games coming up this week. Make sure to check out our special women's soccer page here at LiveSoccerTV.com for full broadcast info, match updates, news, and more.
Biggest stories of the week
Wayne Rooney set to take new gig hours after stepping down from D.C. United
Less than 48 hours after vowing he was not interested in another coaching gig at the moment, Wayne Rooney has reportedly agreed terms to go back to his home country and take one more job leading another club.
The former English striker had been linked with Birmingham's coaching spot for over four weeks, and even if the coach refused to have anything lined up for the near future, the club has already taken steps to secure his signing as soon as possible.
The Championship side decided to part ways with John Eustace, who had led the Blues to avoid relegation last season with a decent finish and to sixth place in the 2023-24 EFL Championship season. Nevertheless, the team's owners were keen on bringing a marquee name to lead the club, which saw them ending Eustace's deal.
REPORT: Messi linked to Saudi Pro League after run for MLS playoffs end
The Saudi Pro League will reportedly not hesitate in trying to lure Lionel Messi to one of their teams, even if they are aware it can only be for a short stint.
Recent reports coming in from Europe state that the Pro League, which became a household name this summer after hiring quite a few talented players from European clubs, will attempt to lure Messi one more time to the Middle Eastern league, taking under consideration the long pause between the abrupt end of Inter Miami's season and the start of the 2024 campaign.
The deal, which is still in its initial stages, would only see Messi joining a SPL club on loan, as per the rules of Major League Soccer regarding Designated Players. Once the league resumes in late February, Messi would have to go back to North America.
Barcelona handed double injury blow ahead of El Clásico
A new edition of El Clásico is on the horizon, but Barcelona have much to worry about before October 29 comes knocking on their door.
The Blaugrana club walked into the international break sitting in third place, and while still unbeaten, the club is three points behind Real Madrid in the title race. Now, coach Xavi Hernández has reasons to worry about, as some of his best players have come down with injuries and their availability for the big game is in serious doubt.
Sunday's match was particularly harsh on the Catalan club, as Lamine Yamal and Jules Koundé suffered injuries that jeopardized their presence in the game against Real Madrid. Kounde, with a knee issue, and Yamal, struggling with groin complaints, had to miss call-ups from their national teams to have their injuries treated.
Italy send Tonali, Zaniolo home amid gambling probe
Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo have been sent home from Italy's training camp after criminal prosecutors launched an investigation into alleged gambling offenses, the country's football federation said Thursday.
In a statement, the FIGC confirmed that midfielder Tonali and forward Zaniolo, who both play in England with Newcastle United and Aston Villa respectively, had been formally informed of the probe by prosecutors from Turin at the Azzurri's Coverciano training center.
The pair will miss Italy's Euro 2024 qualifying matches with Malta and England, with the European champions second in Group C but level on seven points with Ukraine and North Macedonia.
UK and Ireland to host Euro 2028 as Italy, Turkey awarded Euro 2032
The United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland will co-host Euro 2028, while Italy and Turkey will be joint hosts of the 2032 tournament, UEFA announced on Tuesday.
Both bids ran unopposed but still needed official approval from European football's governing body, which they received at a meeting in Switzerland.
Turkey last week withdrew from the bidding process for Euro 2028, clearing the path for Britain and Ireland, who shelved plans to bid to host the 2030 World Cup to focus on staging the European Championship.
Other key headlines from the world of soccer
Belgian star Eden Hazard announces retirement
Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard announced his retirement on Tuesday after failing to find another club following his release from Real Madrid. The 32-year-old endured an injury-plagued spell at Real Madrid after his 89-million-pound (103 million euros, $110 million) move from Chelsea in 2019, playing just 76 matches in all competitions across four seasons.
"You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time," Hazard wrote on Instagram.
Saka out of England's Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy
Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of England matches against Australia and Italy, the English Football Association announced on Monday. Gareth Southgate included the Arsenal winger, 22, in a 26-man squad last week but he missed Sunday's 1-0 win against Manchester City after struggling with a hamstring issue during recent matches.
