Eight of Dundee United’s first team stars and promising academy graduates are ready to represent their country as domestic action pauses for the international break.

Jetting off across the globe towards the turn of the month, let’s take a deep dive into our international cohort.

JESSE RANDALL | NEW ZEALAND

The first of two summer signings who featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jesse has enjoyed a promising start to life as a Terror and has secured his spot in Darren Bazeley’s first post world cup selections.

The 24-year-old has made himself a key component in Jim Goodwin’s forward line and wasted no time in grabbing his first goal contribution in Tangerine as Lachie Rose prodded home a low delivery to earn a point against Rangers on the opening day.

A first goal would come at the end of August as an effort from a tight angle put the cherry on top of a 4-0 win at Rugby Park, whilst his second came in our final game before the break against St Mirren.

Jesse links back up with the All Whites for a trip to China, for a pair of friendlies, before moving on to Japan for the 2026 Kirin Cup.

FIXTURES

New Zealand v Palestine | Thursday 24 September | 10:30am BST

China PR v New Zealand | Monday 28 September | 1:35pm BST – 27/09

New Zealand v Panama | Thursday 1 October | Kirin Cup 2026

New Zealand v Ecuador or Japan | Monday 5 October | Kirin Cup

MICHAEL FORBES | NORTHERN IRELAND

Another fresh face at Tannadice this summer, Michael Forbes has wasted no time in cementing his position at the heart of the Terrors’ backline and netted his first goal in Tangerine in the dying embers of MD6 of the William Hill Premiership against Falkirk.

The 22-year-old has struck an exciting partnership with fellow centre-half partner Bert Esselink, and his domestic form has peaked the interests of Michael O’Neill ahead of the September International break.

O’Neill handed a fresh-faced Forbes his senior international debut in November 2023, when a late substitute appearance earnt him his first cap.

A mainstay of the Green and White Army’s U21s defence for the last three seasons, Michael links back up with the senior national team for a quartet of Nations League Group Stage fixtures.

Forbes and his teammates will make trips to face Georgia and Slovakia, where Ukraine will be their opponents, and welcome Hungary and Georgia again to Windsor Park.

FIXTURES

Georgia v Northern Ireland | Friday 25 September | 5pm

Northern Ireland v Hungary | Monday 28 September | 7.45pm

Ukraine v Northern Ireland | Friday 2 October | 7.45pm

Northern Ireland v Georgia | Monday 5 October | 7.45pm

ZIDANE IQBAL | IRAQ

The second of our summer signings who featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Zidane jets off with his national team for a trio of Gulf cup group games.

A deadline day signing, Zidane headed to the City of Discovery from FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie looking for a fresh start after his time in the Netherlands.

The same cannot be said for his international career, where he has totalled 28 caps to date including three appearances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and an impressive display against France.

The 23-year-old made his debut for the Terrors in a 1-1 draw with Falkirk in early September and will be looking to continue to build match sharpness and minutes as the Gulf Cup kicks off.

FIXTURES

Iraq v Oman | Wednesday 23 September | 3:30pm

Kuwait v Iraq | Saturday 26 September | 4pm

Saudi Arabia v Iraq | Tuesday 29 September | 6:30pm

KEVIN CIUBOTARU | ROMANIA U-21

Fresh off his first goal in Tangerine in Paisley, Kevin Ciubotaru will link up with the young  Tricolorii for a trio of Euro U-21 qualification matches.

An exciting full back, Kevin joined the Terrors in the summer to provide defensive competition and has made four appearances so far, with three 90-minute showings and a first goal to his name too.

Kevin and his international colleagues will make trips to Cyprus and Spain in the upcoming break, whilst also hosting Finland U-21 in important qualification fixtures as they look to chase down the latter and Spain for a top two spot.

FIXTURES

Cyprus U-21 v Romania U-21 | Friday 25 September | 5pm

Romania U-21 v Finland U-21 | Wednesday 30 September | 5pm

Spain U-21 v Romania U-21 | Tuesday 6 October | 5pm

PANUTCHE CAMARÁ | GUINEA-BISSAU

Panutche Camará heads off on international duty with Guinea-Bissau as they look to start their 2027 AFCON Qualifying campaign on the front foot.

With eight appearances to his name on the international stage, the combative midfielder will look to nail down a more permanent spot as the Dromedários aim to start the qualifying campaign fast.

Camará and his teammates will make a trip to Tanzania before hosting Nigeria in Group L.

FIXTURES

Tanzania v Guinea-Bissau | Friday 25 September | 2pm

Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria | Tuesday 29 September | 5pm

IURIE IOVU | MOLDOVA

Iurie also heads to mainland Europe for a quartet of Nations League fixtures as they kick-off their campaign.

The fixtures will also present an important opportunity for Iurie to build his match sharpness and minutes before returning to Tannadice ahead of the visit of Hibs after the break.

Iovu and his international colleagues will make trips to Slovakia and Kazakhstan and host the Faroe Islands and Slovakia in their first round of fixtures.

FIXTURES

Slovakia v Moldova | Saturday 26 September | 7.45pm

Moldova v Faroe Islands | Tuesday 29 September | 5pm

Kazakhstan v Moldova | Friday 2 October | 3pm

Moldova v Slovakia | Tuesday 6 October | 7.45pm

SAM CLEALL-HARDING | SCOTLAND U-21

Boyhood Arab Sam Cleall-Harding returns to the international fold after a promising first few months on-loan in Fife.

The 20-year-old joined Dunfermline Athletic on a season long loan deal in the summer of 2026 and has played every minute of every match so far for the Pars.

Sam will link up with fellow academy graduate Ruairidh Adams on international duty and will face a trip to Bulgaria and host Azerbaijan at Rugby Park in important fixtures as they look to close the gap on the top two in Group B of UEFA EURO U-21 qualification.

FIXTURES

Scotland U-21 v Azerbaijan U-21 | Wednesday 30 September | 7:30pm

Bulgaria U-21 v Scotland U-21 | Tuesday 6 October | 5:30pm

RUAIRIDH ADAMS | SCOTLAND U-21

Fellow academy graduate Ruairidh Adams also joins Sam in Tony Docherty’s first U-21s squad since his recent appointment.

Adams has established himself as number one in recent years and will be looking to continue to build on an exciting past few seasons.

Currently on-loan in the William Hill Championship with Airdrieonians, Ruairidh will look to help the U-21s qualify for the European Championships next summer.

FIXTURES

Scotland U-21 v Azerbaijan U-21 | Wednesday 30 September | 7:30pm

Bulgaria U-21 v Scotland U-21 | Tuesday 6 October | 5:30pm

Everybody at the club wishes all eight players the very best of luck over the next two weeks as they represent their countries on the international stage. We’ll be keeping a close eye on their progress and look forward to welcoming them back to Tannadice.

Go well, lads!

 

 

 

 

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