What’s On This Week 5th- 9th October

P.ublished 5th October 2026

his week we have something of an England special, as both men’s and women’s sides are in action looking to cement vital wins. For the men, its progress in the Nations League, and for the women, World Cup qualification hangs in the balance as they enter the playoffs.

History was made in England’s last match as they thumped Croatia 7-0, setting the record for the biggest Nations League win. It was a barnstorming performance away in Rijeka, where many players shone, especially Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, who both bagged a brace.

Thus far, England are second in Group 3, after their wins over Croatia and Czechia as well as their opening game loss to Spain. With the Spaniards holding court at the top with three wins from three.

Thomas Tuchels' men will be hoping they can once again get one over on Czechia, who they already defeated 2-0 last week. The Czechs are yet to pick up any points in the group and are sitting languishing at the bottom.

Whilst they have not picked up a victory, they remain three points behind Croatia and with a much better goal difference following Croatia’s meeting with England, meaning there is still hope for them to get out of third spot if they can beat England and if Spain beat Croatia.

When the two sides have faced off in the past, it has been England who have had the better time, with just one Czech win in six meetings, which was all the way back in 2019. The last time the two sides met at Wembley, the Three Lions ran out 5-0 winners, which they will no doubt be hoping to replicate.

England were having a blitzing run in the group, with four wins on the spin, including a 6-1 win over Ukraine to start the run, in which they conceded their only goal up until a meeting with Spain, which derailed the Lionesses.

Having already beaten Spain 1-0, many were confident that they could weather the storm again and get a result. Instead, England were soundly beaten 4-0 in Spain, which meant that England was usurped to the top spot due to goal difference.

A 3-0 win over Ukraine last week did nothing to revert the damage, and it's now down to the playoffs, where they face a Greece side that is in fine form.

The Greeks are seven matches unbeaten and stormed through their group, finishing six points ahead of Faroe Islands in second. They went the whole campaign unbeaten and will be hoping that continues as they ready themselves for what could be the biggest win in Greek women’s football history.

The shortened address for this article is: newspub.uk/02164