City have had five players called up by their respective nations at both senior and U21 level including, Ivan Varfolomeev, Andrei Coubiș, Chieo Ogbene, Yunus Konak and Oisin Gallagher.
Ivan Varfolomeev
After signing for City in the summer of 2025 from Slovan Liberec and earning himself the accolade of Young Player of the Season, Ivan Varfolomeev made consistent appearances for Ukraine’s U21 setup throughout the duration of last season. Following his continued impact with the Imps during the current campaign under Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, he’s caught the eye of Andrea Maldera who has handed the 22-year-old his first senior call-up with a potential debut on Friday 25 September as his side travel to Hungary in the opening game if their UEFA Nations League Group Stage. The Blue and Yellow also travel to Georgia during the three-week break before facing Northern Ireland and then another meeting with their opening opponents, Hungary.
Ukraine's fixtures
Hungary vs Ukraine
Friday 25 September | 7.45pm
Georgia vs Ukraine
Monday 28 September | 5pm
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland
Friday 2 October | 7.45pm
Ukraine vs Hungary
Monday 5 October | 7.45pm
All kick-off times are UK time.
Andrei Coubiș
The Romanian centre-half joined the Imps over the summer and has so far made eight appearances for City, getting himself an assist for Freddie Draper’s goal against Preston. He’s been called up by Gheorghe Hagi for the first time in a competitive environment with his three caps to date coming in friendlies against Wales, Georgia and Slovakia. The 22-year-old is set to compete in the Tricolours’ UEFA Nations League Group Stage games against Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland before facing Sweden in a reverse fixture.
Romania's fixtures
Sweden vs Romania
Friday 25 September | 7.45pm
Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Monday 28 September | 7:45pm
Poland vs Romania
Friday 2 October | 7.45pm
Romania vs Sweden
Monday 5 October | 7.45pm
All kick-off times are UK time.
Chieo Ogbene
Chieo Ogbene is City’s third player to receive a senior call-up during this international after joining the Imps on a deadline day loan from Ipswich Town. Ogbene is familiar with the Republic of Ireland squad having made 35 caps over five years, netting five times including an acrobatic overhead kick. He will join up with Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side as they begin their UEFA Nations League Group Stage when travelling to Kosovo and Israel before returning to Dublin to face Austria and finally facing Israel again.
Republic of Ireland's fixtures
Kosovo vs Republic of Ireland
Thursday 24 September | 7.45pm
Israel vs Republic of Ireland
Sunday 27 September | 7:45pm
Republic of Ireland vs Austria
Thursday 1 October | 7.45pm
Republic of Ireland vs Israel
Sunday 4 October | 7.45pm
All kick-off times are UK time.
Yunus Konak and Oisin Gallagher
Both Yunus Konak and Oisin Gallagher have been called up for their respective U21 setups with Konak in on loan from Brentford whilst Gallagher is enjoying a successful loan spell in Sky Bet League Two with Barnet who find themselves top of the division with Oisin playing a large proportion of minutes. Konak joins up with the Turkiye U21 in their European Championship qualifying games against Ukraine U21 and Hungary U21. Gallagher joins up with the Republic of Ireland’s youth setup for their European Championship qualifying campaign against Slovakia U21, Kazakhstan U21 and England U21.
Turkiye U21’s and Republic of Ireland U21’s fixtures
Slovakia U21 vs Republic of Ireland U21
Friday 25 September | 5pm
Ukraine U21 vs Turkiye U21
Saturday 26 September | 5pm
Republic of Ireland U21 vs Kazakhstan U21
Tuesday 29 September | 7pm
Republic of Ireland U21 vs England U21
Tuesday 6 October | 5pm
Turkiye U21 vs Hungary U21
Tuesday 6 October | 3pm
All kick-off times are UK time.
