International break: How the home nations got on in World Cup qualifiers

The teams are hoping to qualify for the World Cup in 2026

With the Premier League on pause, it was time for September's international break with all four of the men's home nation sides back in action.

England impressed in Serbia, Scotland and Northern Ireland faced vital group games, and Wales took on Canada as preparations continue for the World Cup in 2026.

Read on to find out how the teams did...

Serbia 0 - 5 England (9 September 2025)

England delivered a confident performance in their World Cup qualifier with a 5–0 victory in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.

Captain Harry Kane opened the scoring with his 74th international goal, before Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guéhi each scored their first goals for the national team. Marcus Rashford added a fifth from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

The result maintains England's 100% record in Group K having also beaten Andorra 2-0 on Saturday.

With 15 points from five matches, they're seven points clear at the top of the table and haven't conceded a goal.

The team is now in a very strong position to qualify automatically for next year's World Cup.

England next face Wales in a friendly in October, followed by another qualifier against Latvia.

Belarus 0 - 2 Scotland (8 September 2025)

Scotland continued their qualifying campaign with an impressive 2–0 win over Belarus in Hungary.

The game was played in an empty stadium with no fans in attendance, because of Belarus' support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Che Adams gave Scotland the lead just before half-time, and an own goal by Belarus in the second half doubled the advantage.

The win gives Scotland four points from two matches in Group C, leaving them level with Denmark - who they drew with 0-0 last week - at the top.

Scotland will next face Greece at home on 9 October, followed by another match against Belarus on 12 October.

Germany 3–1 Northern Ireland (7 September 2025)

Northern Ireland were beaten 3–1 by Germany in Frankfurt.

After falling behind early, Isaac Price equalised with a well-taken volley, but Germany responded with two quick goals from Nadiem Amiri and Liverpool's £100m man Florian Wirtz, with a spectacular free-kick.

Despite the defeat, Northern Ireland remain in second place in Group A, three points off Slovakia in first place and level on points with Germany.

Having beaten Luxembourg 3-1 in their first game, Northern Ireland are still in a good position to qualify, either by finishing top or reaching the play-offs.

The team will host Slovakia, followed by a rematch against Germany next month, both at Windsor Park in Belfast.

Wales 0–1 Canada (Friendly 9 September 2025)

Wales were narrowly beaten 1–0 by Canada in a friendly played in Swansea.

Canada are joint hosts of next year's World Cup alongside the USA and Mexico.

The only goal of the game came from Derek Cornelius with an incredible free kick curled into the top corner.

Although the result does not affect World Cup qualification, it gave Wales an opportunity to test players and prepare for their upcoming competitive fixtures.

Wales return to action in October in a friendly against England, followed by a qualifier against Belgium, who they are level on points with in Group J.