On Monday, Germany coach Joachim Löw gathered his squad in Düsseldorf to begin preparations for the forthcoming final round of World Cup qualifiers. Seven FCB men were there, namely Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, Jérôme Boateng andMario Götze. A victory against Ireland in Cologne on Friday would see the three-time world champions safely through to next summer's finals in Brazil. Löw and his men complete their group stage schedule away to Sweden in Stockholm next Tuesday.
Eight of the club’s non-German players are also representing their countries this week. UEFA Best Player in Europe Franck Ribéryand France play a friendly against Australia on Friday evening, before the serious business of a qualifier at home to Finland on 15 October.
Arjen Robben and the Dutch, who have already booked their ticket to Brazil with 22 points from eight Group D matches. For Austria and David Alaba, it's make or break time on Friday in the match away to Sweden.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Switzerland are in a less precarious position, as the Swiss top Group E.
Croatia and top striker Mario Mandzukicwill probably have to settle for the play-off place, as the East Europeans are currently five points adrift of Belgium and Daniel van Buyten.
In South American qualifying, Claudio Pizarro and Peru are out of the race for berths in Brazil next summer and are playing only for pride in this round of matches. Pizza leads his men in the prestige clash away to Argentina on Friday, before a final fixture against Bolivia next Tuesday night.
Dante has again been called up by Brazil and will travel to Asia for a friendly against South Korea in Seoul on Saturday, and a meeting with Zambia in Beijing on Tuesday
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