Last stage of World Cup qualifying – Salihovic & Casteels with a good chance

Those who do make it will follow Fabian Johnson who has already booked his place in Brazil next summer. Niklas Süle's inclusion in the Germany U19 side remains a doubt, with the 18-year-old still recovering from the flu.

Koen Casteels has the best chance with a Belgium side that sit top of Group A. A draw would be enough for the “Red Devils” and before travelling, the goalkeeper said, “We have two chances to get a World Cup ticket and I hope we can get it done in Croatia.” The game against the second-placed side in their group (five points behind) takes place on Friday (18:00 Croatian time) in Zagreb. “Then we can celebrate with our fans at home,” said Casteels. Their final game is against Wales on Tuesday, October 15th at 21:00 CET in Brussels.

The same goes for Sejad Salihovic. Bosnia and Herzegovina are level on points with Greece, who are top of Group G, but have the chance to apply more pressure if they can win their remaining two games. They face Liechtenstein in Zenica at 20:00 CET on Friday, before travelling to Kaunas, Lithuania on Tuesday for another 20:00 CET kick-off. “The outcome will be determined in the final game. It will be far from easy, because we'll have to get used to the Astroturf first. We are well placed, now we just have to reward ourselves,” said TSG's leading midfielder.

Tough tasks for Norway and Poland

On the other hand, Tarik Elyounoussi with Norway and Eugen Polanski with Poland have mammoth tasks ahead of them. Both of their countries are currently in fourth in their group. Norway travel to third-placed Slovenia on Tuesday for a 20:45 CET kick-off, before returning to home turf for a game against Iceland at 20:00 CET. Poland host second-in-the-group Ukraine in Krakow on Friday (21:00 CET), before their game against group leaders England four days later at 20:00 CET.

Two Hoffenheim players are also involved on the youth international stage. Kevin Volland will play for Germany's U21s in their European Championship qualifier, facing Montenegro in Wiesbaden on Friday (18:30 CET), before leading the team out in Kassel against the Faroe Islands (also 18:30 CET). Vincenzo Grifo has been called up to the Italy U21 team for the first time and will be part of the squad that plays Belgium in Genk on Monday at 20:00 CET.

Jeremy Toljan is due to represent Germany's U20s in a four-country-tournament in the Netherlands against Turkey, Czech Republic and the hosts. An age group below sees Kevin Akpoguma in action. The Hoffenheim defender is in the Germany team for their European Championship qualifier tournament in Belarus for games against the hosts, Latvia and Scotland.