It’s hard to keep the Revs away from the pitch, even during the offseason. Seven Revolution players recently kept the competition going while they await the 2026 season, earning international call-ups to represent their respective home countries this month.
Leo Campana was named to Ecuador’s squad for two friendlies, as the nation continues preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see seven games hosted in Foxborough. The striker made a late substitute appearance against Canada at BMO Field, coming on in stoppage time as Ecuador pushed for a winner in a match that ultimately concluded in a scoreless draw.
Ecuador had better luck against New Zealand on Tuesday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium, bringing home a 2-0 win. Campana started the match for the South American side and remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, scoring a late goal in the 83rd minute that solidified Ecuador’s victory.
Also finding the back of the net for his home country, forward Dor Turgeman joined Israel as they completed their World Cup qualifiers. Although already knocked out of contention, Turgeman helped the Skyblue and White gain some momentum for the future as he opened the scoring against Moldova from the penalty spot in the 21st minute.
Turgeman played nearly the full 90 for his country, before being subbed off by fellow MLS star, Idan Toklomati of Charlotte FC.
Still fighting for a 2026 World Cup berth, Alhassan Yusuf joined Nigeria as they gave one last push toward qualification in the CAF playoffs. Yusuf was an unused substitute as the Super Eagles flew past Gabon with a 4-1 win (after extra time) in the playoff semifinals, but saw their World Cup dream end with a penalty shootout loss to Congo DR after a 1-1 draw.
Like Yusuf, no other Revolution players representing an African Confederation team earned a spot at the 2026 World Cup. Mamadou Fofana and his native Mali were eliminated in September, though the defender still earned a call-up during this month’s international window. Claiming a spot in the starting lineup, Fofana helped Les Aigles secure a clean sheet in a friendly match against Jordan at Amman International Stadium, ending the match in 0-0 draw.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old midfielder Allan Oyirwoth traveled to Morocco with Uganda for an international friendly, but did not make the matchday squad as the hosts handed Uganda a 4-0 defeat.
Oyirwoth wasn’t the only teen gaining valuable international experience, as both Eric Klein and Peyton Miller competed for the United States this month. Homegrown midfielder Klein joined the U.S. Under-20s for two friendlies at Costa Rica, helping the Stars and Stripes bring home two winning results, earning minutes and recording an assist in the 4-0 victory in the second match.
Miller, who most recently represented the United States at the FIFA U-20 World Cup under Marko Mitrović – now his head coach at the Revolution – was called into the U.S. Under-21 squad for a training camp in Europe. He was an unused substitute in a 1-1 draw with Denmark, then played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Serbia. In a notable twist, Miller faced Matija Mitrović, the youngest son of his new head coach, forming another Miller-Mitrović combo.
Of the young New England stars making waves internationally, former Revolution midfielder and Academy graduate Esmir Bajraktarević helped Bosnia and Herzegovina secure a World Cup playoff spot with a beautiful goal from the top of the box in their 3-1 win over Romania. Though Bajraktarević now plays for PSV in the Netherlands, it’s always rewarding to see New England products making big plays on the international stage.
It’s been a pleasure watching Revolution players stay sharp in the offseason, earning international minutes and confidence that will only raise expectations as the 2026 season approaches. With Marko Mitrović now at the helm, there’s a renewed sense of optimism as the club builds toward a World Cup year and a fresh chapter in Foxborough.
