The first international window of 2026, and the final one before the FIFA World Cup 2026 break, is upon us. Several Austin FC players have been selected to represent their national teams - some for crucial playoff matches to earn one of the final berths to this summer's tournament, and some for friendlies or camps.
Joseph Rosales (Honduras)
Rosales and Honduras are set for an international friendly vs. Peru, to take place in Madrid. Rosales is a regular for Los Catrachos, having 34 matches under his belt and three assists.
- Tuesday, March 31 at 1:00 p.m. CT: Honduras vs. Peru
Oleksandr Svatok (Ukraine)
Svatok and Ukraine will attempt to win two matches in the UEFA Qualification playoffs to secure a place in the World Cup. First, they'll need to defeat Sweden in a semifinal match in Spain, and then defeat the winner of the other semifinal in that section (Poland and Albania). Svatok has played 11 games for Ukraine including both of their most recent World Cup qualifiers last November.
- Thursday, March 26 at 2:45 p.m. CT: Ukraine vs. Sweden
- (IF Ukraine wins vs. Sweden) Tuesday, March 31 at 1:45 p.m. CT: Ukraine vs. Poland/Albania
Ervin Torres (United States U-19)
Torres joins the U.S. U-19's once again as the program continues preparations for this summer's Concacaf U-20 Championship. The camp will take place in Alicante, Spain and feature a friendly against Wales on March 28.
- Saturday, March 28 at 5:00 a.m. CT: United States U-19 vs. Wales U-19
Facundo Torres (Uruguay)
Off to a strong start to life in Verde & Black, Torres now joins up with Uruguay for two important friendlies in Europe. He'll be looking to impress manager Marcelo Bielsa and secure a spot in this summer's World Cup squad, first in London against England and then in Turin against Algeria. Torres has played 22 times for Uruguay and scored twice.
- Friday, March 27 at 2:45 p.m. CT: England vs. Uruguay
- Tuesday, March 31 at 1:30 p.m. CT: Algeria vs. Uruguay
Myrto Uzuni (Albania)
Uzuni and Albania find themselves in the same UEFA qualification playoff bracket as Svatok and Ukraine, meaning the two could meet in a one-off match for a place in the World Cup should both win their respective semifinal matches. Uzuni is a consistent presence for Albania having scored six goals in 45 games for his country.
- Thursday, March 26 at 2:45 p.m. CT: Poland vs. Albania
- (IF Albania wins vs. Poland) Tuesday, March 31 at 1:45 p.m. CT: Albania vs. Ukraine/Sweden
Nico Aristizábal (Puerto Rico)
Austin FC Academy goalkeeper Nico Aristizábal could be in line to make his senior international debut for Puerto Rico after representing them several times at the youth levels. Puerto Rico will first host Guam in a FIFA Series match before playing either the U.S. Virgin Islands or American Samoa.
- Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. CT: Puerto Rico vs. Guam
- Saturday, March 28 at TBD: Puerto Rico vs. U.S. Virgin Islands/American Samoa
