The 2022 World Cup is just eight months away and international teams are beginning to make plans as they aim to book their place in Qatar.
This week's international break sees a clutch of qualifiers take place across the globe. And those games will see a host of EFL players take part for their respective nations. In the European stage of qualifying, the likes of England, Germany and Spain are already planning for November's tournament.
We are down to the play-off stage now, with four games set for Thursday evening. The one-off ties effectively act as semi-finals and one of the fixtures in particular sees a huge batch of EFL players involved as Wales hope to move a step closer to reaching their first World Cup since 1958.
To that end, no fewer than 16 EFL players are in the Welsh squad for the crucial meeting at home to Austria. One of those hoping to fire Rob Page's side into a potential final play-off tie against Scotland or Ukraine is Fulham's Neco Williams.
The Liverpool youngster has enjoyed a fine start to life on loan in the Championship and is now focused on helping his nation reach Qatar. "You think about it all the time," said Williams. "As players you always want to play in the biggest of tournaments and on the biggest stages. Just as much as the older senior lads want to qualify, it's exactly the same for us younger lads. We're all in the same boat, we all want to qualify and it would mean everything to us."
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A number of other EFL stars are also hoping to be involved at the Cardiff City Stadium, including Huddersfield's Sorba Thomas, Nottingham Forest star Brennan Johnson and Swansea's Ben Cabango.
Boss Page said of the Austria tie: "It is a final for us in many respects. We have to win the game and are going to go for it. We have not spoken too much about the importance of it, players know the importance. We don't need to emphasise it. We have big players who always turn up to the party. We will be fully ready for it."
Elsewhere in the European qualifiers, Poland are gearing up for a big week. The Poles received a bye into the one-off play-off final after their proposed semi-final opponents Russia were disqualified. It means Poland will face Sweden or the Czech Republic next Tuesday.
Within their squad is Barnsley's Michal Helik and Derby's Krystian Bielik. Both players have plenty of concerns domestically as their respective sides aim to avoid Championship relegation. But for now, their focus will be on aiding their country's hopes of reaching the World Cup.
In South American qualifying, Ben Brereton Diaz has endured a frustrating international period. The Blackburn striker, who enjoyed a breakthrough summer with his adopted nation at the Copa America, was initially called up for La Roja's vital qualifiers with Brazil and Uruguay despite being injured.
It has since been confirmed Brereton Diaz will not play the first game but will remain in Chile doing 'various preparation work' in the hope he can feature in the second clash.
In African qualifying, Ghana have included Swindon's Joseph Wollacott and Reading's Andy Yiadom in their squad for their two-legged play-off with Nigeria. Semi Ajayi, of West Brom, is in the Super Eagles' camp.
QPR's Ilias Chair is in Morocco's squad for their clash with DR Congo. Opposite him in the Congo side will be Luton's Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu. There is also EFL representation in the Oceania qualifiers, with Colchester's Tommy Smith hoping to feature on Thursday against New Caledonia.
