The first FIFA international window of the year is upon us, running from March 20-28, which means players are receiving callups to play for their home countries. Seven players from Atlanta United have been called up to play international soccer during March, we'll be keeping track with them right here:
It's a really, really welcome sight to see Miles Robinson's name on the list of players called up to the U.S. men's national team. Atlanta United's star center back made a name for himself on the international level over the last couple of years, scoring the game-winner in the 2021 Gold Cup Final and helping the U.S. qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Robinson was all set to make his World Cup debut last fall, but in early May he suffered a season-ending injury during club play that kept him from reaching that milestone. Now, after a long recovery, Robinson is back on the pitch (some say faster and stronger than before his injury), and ready to represent the red, white, and blue, this time for two Concacaf Nations League games that will air on TNT.
- Friday, March 24 - Grenada vs. United States (TV: TNT)
- Monday, March 27 - United States vs. El Salvador (TV: TNT)
The first Atlanta United player called up by his country during this window was our own World Cup winner, midfielder Thiago Almada. The 21-year-old was part of Argentina's national team roster that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar this past fall, which made Almada the first MLS active player to win a World Cup. Almada's been having a great run with Atlanta United lately with four goals, four assists and two MLS Player of the Matchday awards to his name. He reunites with superstar Lionel Messi and the rest of La Albiceleste for a pair of international friendlies.
- Thursday, March 23 - Argentina 2-0 Panama | READ: Thiago scores first goal for Argentina
- Tuesday, March 28 - Argentina vs. Curaçao
Venezuela didn't qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, so the nation is looking to improve under new head coach Fernando Batista, who was announced as the new manager earlier this month. Atlanta United defender Ronald Hernández has made 32 appearances with Venezuela since making his international debut when he was 20 years old. The now 25-year-old defender, who's been with Atlanta United since 2021, was called up to help his home country in their next two international friendlies.
- Friday, March 24 - Saudi Arabia vs. Venezuela
- Tuesday, March 28 - Uzbekistan vs. Venezuela
Greece will continue their good form under Uruguayan head coach Gus Poyet who took over he National Team last year and has registered a 60% win percentage in the 10 matches he's coached, something that hasn't been done in more than 10 years. Atlanta United forward Giorgos Giakoumakis, who scored his first goal fo the club in the 5-1 win over the Timbers, has made 11 appearances and scored two goals with the Ethniki. Giakoumakis has been called up for a pair of matches with Greece at the end of the month, including their first match of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, in a group they share with Netherlands, France, Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.
Machop Chol was called up to join South Sudan for a pair of qualification matches for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Homegrown earned his first international callup to play for the Bright Stars during the November 2021 international window. On Jan. 27, 2022 he made his national team debut in a friendly against Uzbekistan.
- Thursday, March 23 - Congo 1-2 South Sudan | Chol wasn't part of the team for this match
- Monday, March 27 - South Sudan vs. Congo
Our defender Luis Abram has been called up by new Peru men's national team coach Juan Reynoso, for two International friendlies that will be played in Mainz, Germany and Madrid, Spain. Peru is undergoing a new process leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after being coached for the last seven years by Ricardo Gareca who took La Blanquirroja back to a World Cup in 2018 after 36 years. Abram has made 33 appearances for Peru.
Derrick Etienne Jr. has been called up for the last two Concacaf Nations League matches in Group B for the Haitian men's national team. Haiti currently leads Group B with 10 points, ahead of Guyana, Bermuda and Montserrat, and with one more win they will get promoted to League A.
- Saturday, March 25 - Montserrat vs. Haiti (TV: Paramount+)
- Tuesday, March 28 - Haiti vs. Bermuda (TV: Paramount+)
