RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, November 12, 2026: Ten international soccer friendlies across Thursday and Friday will test national teams preparing for their next competitive assignments, with Saudi Arabia facing South Korea and Qatar meeting Australia in the most prominent fixtures. The November 12-13 schedule also features New Zealand against India, Uzbekistan against Russia, Lithuania against Suriname, Malta against Eswatini, Singapore against Paraguay, Kuwait against Syria, the United Arab Emirates against Honduras, and Iraq against Lebanon.
The two days bring different competitive priorities. Saudi Arabia and South Korea must assess their strongest combinations after a turbulent international year, Australia and Qatar are adjusting preparations following the postponement of the AFC Asian Cup, and India faces an important away examination against New Zealand. Elsewhere, Malta is preparing for a decisive UEFA Nations League fixture, while Singapore, Paraguay and several West Asian teams are evaluating personnel and tactical options. None of these friendlies awards qualification points, but the performances could influence team selection for months.
Key Takeaways
- Ten international soccer friendlies across Thursday and Friday will test national teams preparing for their next competitive assignments, with Saudi Arabia facing South Korea and Qatar meeting Australia in the most prominent fixtures.
- Four matches are scheduled for Thursday and six for Friday.
- *The All India Football Federation publishes 11:30 AM Indian Standard Time for New Zealand vs India, equivalent to 11:00 AM PKT.
- The November matches fall within FIFA’s official international window from November 9 to 17.
International Friendlies November 12-13: Full Schedule and Venues
Four matches are scheduled for Thursday and six for Friday. The following table uses Pakistan Standard Time (PKT, UTC+5), with the host stadiums identified separately.
Story at a glance
International Friendlies November 12-13: Full Schedule and Venues
Four matches are scheduled for Thursday and six for Friday. The following table uses Pakistan Standard Time (PKT, UTC+5), with the host stadiums identified separately.
Saudi Arabia vs South Korea: The Biggest Test in Doha
Friday, November 13 | 7:30 PM PKT | Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Qatar vs Australia: Asian Cup Preparations Take a Different Turn
Friday, November 13 | 7:45 PM PKT | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
New Zealand vs India: Chris Wood Leads the All Whites’ Home Test
Thursday, November 12 | 11:00 AM PKT, subject to final kickoff confirmation | Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Uzbekistan vs Russia: Cannavaro Tests His Developing Team
Thursday, November 12 | 8:00 PM PKT | Pakhtakor Central Stadium, Tashkent
| Date | Match | Kickoff (PKT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | New Zealand vs India | 11:00 AM* | Go Media Stadium, Auckland |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Uzbekistan vs Russia | 8:00 PM | Pakhtakor Central Stadium, Tashkent |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Lithuania vs Suriname | 10:00 PM | Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas |
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Malta vs Eswatini | 10:30 PM | National Stadium, Ta’ Qali |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Singapore vs Paraguay | 5:00 PM | National Stadium, Singapore |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Kuwait vs Syria | 7:00 PM | Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Kuwait |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | UAE vs Honduras | 7:10 PM | Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Saudi Arabia vs South Korea | 7:30 PM | Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Qatar vs Australia | 7:45 PM | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha |
| Friday, Nov. 13 | Iraq vs Lebanon | 8:00 PM | Basra International Stadium, Basra |
*The All India Football Federation publishes 11:30 AM Indian Standard Time for New Zealand vs India, equivalent to 11:00 AM PKT. Some other listings show 11:10 AM PKT. Supporters should check the final match-day listing for any adjustment.
Friday’s schedule is particularly concentrated. Six games begin within three hours, while the Saudi Arabia-South Korea and Qatar-Australia fixtures kick off only 15 minutes apart at separate stadiums in Doha.
The November matches fall within FIFA’s official international window from November 9 to 17. National teams may schedule two matches during the period, allowing coaches to compare different formations and personnel without the immediate pressure of tournament elimination.
Saudi Arabia vs South Korea: The Biggest Test in Doha
Friday, November 13 | 7:30 PM PKT | Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Saudi Arabia and South Korea provide Friday’s most compelling matchup, bringing together two major Asian national teams with significant questions about their next competitive cycle.
Saudi Arabia enters the November window under head coach Georgios Donis, who has selected a 30-player squad for a training camp running from November 8 to 17 in Qatar.
The squad includes experienced defenders Hassan Tambakti, Ali Lajami and Saud Abdulhamid, midfielders Mohamed Kanno and Musab Al-Juwayr, and attacking options Firas Al-Buraikan, Abdullah Al-Hamdan and Abdullah Al-Salem.
Donis has an opportunity to test the team’s attacking balance against a South Korean defense containing players accustomed to the highest levels of European club soccer.
Saudi Arabia’s recent Gulf Cup success provides encouragement. The national team defeated the UAE 2-0 in the Gulf Cup 27 final, ending a 22-year wait for the regional title. TSE’s report on Saudi Arabia’s victory examined how the Saudis controlled the decisive match.
That achievement followed an unbeaten group-stage campaign in which the Saudis showed defensive consistency and the ability to secure results without relying on high-scoring performances.
South Korea Brings Son Heung-min and a New Leadership Test
South Korea’s preparations carry an additional complication.
Interim head coach Robert Moreno has selected a 26-player squad that includes captain Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang In-beom.
The selection follows reported disagreements within the national team involving some senior players and Son’s leadership. Those tensions have generated considerable discussion in South Korea, although the players remain in the squad and the situation should not be interpreted as evidence of any confirmed disciplinary offense.
Moreno’s decision to retain the experienced core creates an opportunity to rebuild confidence and improve cooperation on the field.
Son also approaches a personal milestone. The captain has scored 59 international goals and is pursuing his 60th for South Korea.
Saudi Arabia’s defense will need to limit Son’s movement between wide and central areas while preventing the Korean midfield from controlling possession.
South Korea’s strongest potential advantage lies in its combination of European experience, attacking mobility and defensive quality. Saudi Arabia offers a more familiar regional environment and an organized structure that has recently produced important results.
Two questions should define the contest: Can the Saudi midfield disrupt South Korea’s passing combinations, and can Moreno’s players turn their individual quality into a cohesive team performance?
Saudi Arabia will face Uzbekistan on November 17, while South Korea meets Qatar on the same day, giving both coaches a second opportunity to evaluate their squads.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s official squad announcement confirms the November selections and both scheduled matches.
Qatar vs Australia: Asian Cup Preparations Take a Different Turn
Friday, November 13 | 7:45 PM PKT | Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Qatar’s meeting with Australia offers an important measure of two national teams preparing for the next Asian Cup under a revised calendar.
The Asian Football Confederation announced on November 3 that the tournament, originally scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027, would move to December 23, 2027, through January 21, 2028, subject to FIFA approval.
The postponement changes the urgency of immediate tournament preparation, but it does not make the November fixtures less valuable.
Australia coach Tony Popovic has selected an experimental squad containing seven potential debutants and eleven players from the country’s 2026 World Cup group.
The returning players include Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati, Aziz Behich, Nestory Irankunda, Connor Metcalfe and Tete Yengi.
The emphasis on new personnel reflects Australia’s need to develop depth and evaluate alternatives after a difficult World Cup campaign.
The Socceroos exited the tournament after the group stage and have subsequently recorded mixed results in international friendlies.
Recent meetings with Brazil illustrated their ability to compete defensively for long periods, but Australia still needs greater attacking consistency against strong opposition.
Popovic has emphasized that the Asian Cup schedule change does not diminish the importance of the November matches. The longer preparation period may instead allow Australia to integrate younger players without rushing difficult selection decisions.
Can Qatar Rebuild After Its Gulf Cup Exit?
Qatar approaches the fixture under Julen Lopetegui, seeking greater consistency after its Gulf Cup campaign ended in a semifinal defeat against Saudi Arabia.
The two-time defending Asian champions are attempting to develop a team capable of remaining competitive against leading continental opponents.
Against Australia, Qatar must balance possession with defensive protection against an opponent capable of progressing through direct passing and physically imposing forwards.
The hosts will also face South Korea on November 17 at the same stadium, providing two contrasting tests within four days.
Australia’s second fixture is scheduled against Jordan, although Football Australia has stated that it will continue reviewing security conditions before that match.
The AFC Asian Cup postponement and its consequences for national-team preparation were examined in TSE’s report on the tournament’s revised schedule.
The official Football Australia squad update confirms the selection changes and Popovic’s approach to the November window.
New Zealand vs India: Chris Wood Leads the All Whites’ Home Test
Thursday, November 12 | 11:00 AM PKT, subject to final kickoff confirmation | Go Media Stadium, Auckland
New Zealand begins a two-match home series against India, offering both teams an opportunity to assess their development after contrasting experiences in 2026.
For India, the tour is another test against opponents outside its regular regional competition.
Head coach Khalid Jamil has selected a 23-player squad that includes Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Manvir Singh, Ryan Williams and Muhammad Suhail.
Veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is absent from the squad, while defender Anwar Ali is unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
Jamil has also brought several players across from India’s SAFF Championship squad, seeking a balance between experience and emerging talent.
The challenge is considerable. India’s recent international program included difficult matches against Brazil, Uruguay and Panama, exposing the need for better ball retention and defensive organization against physically stronger opponents.
New Zealand’s squad includes captain and Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood, who entered the window with 45 international goals from 95 appearances.
Wood’s aerial threat, hold-up play and penalty-area movement present a demanding examination for India’s center backs.
New Zealand also has attacking options through Callum McCowatt, Logan Rogerson and Jesse Randall, while younger players can benefit from exposure to senior international competition.
The two games form part of celebrations marking 100 years of unity through sport between India and New Zealand.
After Thursday’s meeting in Auckland, the teams meet again on Sunday, November 15, at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
For India, the central question is whether its midfield can maintain enough possession to prevent repeated defensive pressure. New Zealand will want to show that it can control the match without becoming overly dependent on Wood’s finishing.
The All India Football Federation’s squad announcement confirms India’s selected players and the two-match schedule.
Uzbekistan vs Russia: Cannavaro Tests His Developing Team
Thursday, November 12 | 8:00 PM PKT | Pakhtakor Central Stadium, Tashkent
Uzbekistan’s friendly against Russia is one of Thursday’s most interesting tactical contests.
Fabio Cannavaro remains in charge of Uzbekistan after a difficult World Cup campaign, with the national team seeking to establish a more competitive structure for the next cycle.
Uzbekistan has shown signs of improvement since the World Cup, recording victories against Iran and Syria before losing 2-0 to South Korea in October.
Those results suggest that progress remains uneven. The team can defend effectively and exploit opportunities against familiar regional opponents, but controlling stronger opposition remains difficult.
Russia offers a different challenge.
The Russians remain excluded from official FIFA and UEFA competitions but continue to arrange international friendlies.
Their squad features established European-level talent, including goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, midfielder Aleksandr Golovin and the Miranchuk brothers.
Uzbekistan will be without defender Abduqodir Khusanov, who was not selected for the November camp.
The absence creates an opportunity to test other defensive combinations against an opponent capable of producing quick attacks and exploiting spaces behind the back line.
For Uzbekistan, Thursday is about applying lessons from its recent results rather than simply collecting another friendly victory.
The team will also travel to Qatar to face Saudi Arabia on November 17, making the Russia game part of a two-match examination against technically capable opposition.
Uzbekistan’s progress on the international stage was covered during the World Cup in TSE’s report on Uzbekistan’s historic World Cup campaign.
Lithuania vs Suriname and Malta vs Eswatini: Two European Tests
Lithuania vs Suriname: New Faces and a Familiar Qualification Problem
Thursday, November 12 | 10:00 PM PKT | Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas
Lithuania hosts Suriname under head coach Mindaugas Čepas, with the fixture providing preparation for its subsequent UEFA Nations League match against Liechtenstein on November 16.
The Lithuanian squad includes several returning players and offers opportunities for younger talent to establish themselves.
Armando Kučys is available for the friendly but remains suspended for the competitive match against Liechtenstein, a distinction that could influence Čepas’ attacking choices.
Suriname brings a squad featuring players with experience in European club soccer, including West Ham United forward Joël Piroe.
Piroe joined the national squad after making his international debut in a World Cup qualifying playoff against Bolivia in March.
The matchup provides Lithuania with an opportunity to practice controlling possession against a team comfortable combining technical midfield play with rapid transitions.
For Suriname, the match offers valuable European opposition and another opportunity to strengthen cohesion between players developed in different domestic leagues.
Malta vs Eswatini: Preparation Before a Nations League Decision
Thursday, November 12 | 10:30 PM PKT | National Stadium, Ta’ Qali
Malta’s friendly against Eswatini has a more immediate competitive purpose.
Emilio De Leo’s team leads UEFA Nations League Group D1 with seven points from three matches and travels to Gibraltar on November 16 for its final group fixture.
That makes Thursday’s match an important preparation opportunity rather than a contest with direct standings consequences.
De Leo has named a 28-player squad, including first-time senior call-up Dylan Ciappara and returning midfielder Stephen Pisani.
The coach must balance the need to maintain momentum against the risk of injuries and fatigue before facing Gibraltar.
Eswatini, meanwhile, has selected a squad combining domestic and overseas-based players, seeking experience against European opposition.
The visitors’ most important objective will be demonstrating defensive organization and the ability to create opportunities against a team expected to control possession.
Malta’s performance will also offer evidence of how effectively De Leo’s squad can adjust between friendly preparation and competitive Nations League demands.
Singapore vs Paraguay: A Major Difference in International Experience
Friday, November 13 | 5:00 PM PKT | National Stadium, Singapore
Singapore faces one of its strongest opponents of the year when Paraguay visits the National Stadium.
The Lions are attempting to recover from a disappointing ASEAN Cup campaign that ended with a 6-0 defeat against Malaysia.
Head coach Gavin Lee has used the November window to examine additional squad options, including a first senior call-up for midfielder Woo Chun Wei and recalls for Saifullah Akbar, Joshua Pereira and Darren Teh.
Paraguay enters with considerably greater experience against major international opponents.
Coach Gustavo Alfaro has selected a 27-player squad for an Asian tour that includes Singapore on November 13 and Japan on November 17.
The South Americans’ opportunity lies in testing their combinations against opponents with different tactical approaches before facing Japan.
For Singapore, the match will be demanding regardless of the final result.
Paraguay’s physical strength, quick transitions and attacking quality should test the Lions’ defensive organization.
Singapore must avoid allowing early turnovers to create repeated opportunities for the visitors.
More importantly, Lee needs to identify which younger players can remain composed under pressure and whether the team can construct attacking moves against a much stronger opponent.
The result could provide a useful indication of Singapore’s progress after the disappointment of its regional campaign.
Kuwait vs Syria: Regional Rivals Search for Greater Consistency
Friday, November 13 | 7:00 PM PKT | Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Kuwait
Kuwait’s meeting with Syria brings together two West Asian teams seeking more reliable performances ahead of future regional and continental competition.
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Kuwait has struggled to maintain attacking consistency against stronger opponents, making the fixture an opportunity to examine its movement in the final third and the effectiveness of its midfield combinations.
Syria has also experienced uneven results and must improve its ability to turn promising passages of possession into clear scoring chances.
The friendly should provide useful opportunities for both coaching staffs to assess squad depth and defensive partnerships.
The central tactical question is which team can establish midfield control without leaving spaces for counterattacks.
Neither side has qualification points at stake, but the match can still influence future selections and preparations for the next competitive window.
UAE vs Honduras: Can the Emirates Respond to Gulf Cup Disappointment?
Friday, November 13 | 7:10 PM PKT | Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates returns to international action against Honduras following a Gulf Cup campaign that ended with a 2-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the final.
The UAE showed defensive resilience and attacking improvement during the regional tournament, but the final exposed difficulties against a disciplined Saudi side.
That defeat was examined in TSE’s preview of the Gulf Cup title decider, which explored the competing tactical strengths of the two finalists.
Against Honduras, the Emirates has an opportunity to test its attacking structure against a CONCACAF opponent with a different playing style from most of its regional rivals.
Players such as Nicolás Giménez, Guilherme Bala and Ousmane Camara offer attacking options, while the defensive organization will be tested by Honduras’ movement and direct play.
Honduras’ available attacking options include Luis Palma and Keyrol Figueroa, although final selections remain subject to confirmation before kickoff.
The UAE must improve its effectiveness in the penalty area after struggling to break down Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup final.
For Honduras, the match offers an opportunity to evaluate players against technically capable Asian opposition and prepare for its next international assignments.
Both teams should benefit from a contest that tests their ability to adjust to unfamiliar opponents rather than relying on established regional rivalries.
Iraq vs Lebanon: Basra Hosts Another West Asian Examination
Friday, November 13 | 8:00 PM PKT | Basra International Stadium, Basra
Iraq welcomes Lebanon to Basra for a friendly that begins another demanding international period.
The Iraqi Football Association has scheduled the national team’s match against Lebanon before another meeting with Iran on November 17.
For Iraq, the November fixtures provide opportunities to assess defensive partnerships, attacking combinations and the squad’s ability to manage different tactical demands.
Lebanon faces the challenge of competing away from home against an opponent with considerable international experience and strong local support.
The visitors will need disciplined defensive organization and efficient use of possession to prevent Iraq from establishing territorial control.
Iraq, meanwhile, must demonstrate patience against an opponent likely to defend compactly and seek opportunities through transitions.
Neither team’s complete starting lineup had been officially confirmed at the time of preparation, so the precise tactical shapes remain subject to match-day selections.
The contest will offer useful evidence about Iraq’s preparations before its meeting with Iran and Lebanon’s ability to compete against another established West Asian opponent.
What Matters Most Across the Ten International Friendlies?
Although the ten matches belong to the same international window, their importance differs considerably.
Saudi Arabia and South Korea are testing their strongest combinations after major international developments, with South Korea also addressing questions about leadership and team cohesion.
Qatar and Australia are adjusting their preparation programs after the AFC Asian Cup postponement. The revised calendar provides additional development time, but it also requires coaches to rethink how quickly they introduce new players.
India faces a valuable away test against New Zealand, while Uzbekistan needs evidence that its post-World Cup development is producing more consistent performances.
For Malta, the priority is straightforward: prepare effectively for a competitive Nations League assignment without exhausting important players.
Singapore’s encounter with Paraguay may be one of the largest competitive challenges of its year, while the UAE, Kuwait, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon are using the window to examine regional strengths and weaknesses.
The most useful indicators will extend beyond final scores. Coaches should examine the quality of attacking chances, the ability to defend transitions, the effectiveness of midfield combinations, and how newcomers perform when exposed to senior international pressure.
Final lineups will also matter. Several national teams have called up inexperienced players or made substantial squad changes, meaning their performances should be interpreted in the context of selection experiments rather than as definitive measures of national-team strength.
For supporters, Friday’s most attractive viewing window begins with Singapore against Paraguay at 5:00 PM PKT and builds toward the Saudi Arabia-South Korea and Qatar-Australia matches in Doha.
Those two contests offer the strongest opportunity to assess how leading Asian teams are adapting after the World Cup and preparing for the next continental cycle.
The ten results will not settle qualification races or award trophies. They will, however, reveal which national teams are using the international window effectively and which still have important tactical and personnel questions to answer.
