Three months after the World Cup, international football is back on the menu from March 20 to 28, with teams in Europe now focused on the qualifiers for Euro 2024, which is being hosted by Germany.
Spain are going into the campaign with a new manager, Luis de la Fuente, who starts with games against Norway and Scotland. And his squad announced this Friday features a Barça duo of Balde and Gavi. Pedri was initially selected but he was then ruled out of the squad.
This is also the first Spain squad since Sergio Busquets announced his retirement from the international stage.
Eurozone
After Van Gaal stepped down as Holland manager, another former Barça boss has taken command of the Netherlands. In fact, it's Ronald Koeman's third stint as coach of the national side. Unsurprisingly, Frenkie De Jong has been included in his first squad.
France are in the same group, and Jules Kounde is in that team, while Christensen has been included in the Denmark squad. No major surprises there either.
Kessie and Araujo too
Elsewhere in the world, Franck Kessie will be representing the Ivory Coast in their African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Comoros.
And after not playing at the World Cup through injury, Ronald Araujo will be appearing for Uruguay in a couple of friendlies against Japan and South Korea.