While the Premier League and EFL take a break for international football, non-League continues. But that doesn’t mean every player in the English non-League pyramid stays at home. Across the next couple of weeks, players from the National League and below will be travelling across the globe to represent their countries.
From Africa to Asia and all the way to the Caribbean, here are six non-league players to keep an eye on during the international break.
No.1 – Micah Obiero, Kenya
Club: Carlisle United
Position: Forward
Obiero has already made his mark on the international stage. The forward was one of five new players called up by former South Africa striker Benni McCarthy as the Harambe Stars were revamped ahead of a double-header against Lesotho in June.
The former Wealdstone player wasted little time making an impact. After coming off the bench in the opening game, a 1-1 draw, he was handed his first international start in the return fixture. Kenya responded with a convincing 4-0 victory in Pretoria.
The striker has enjoyed a bright start to the new campaign up in Cumbria. He has found the net four times, including a brace away at Sutton United. With Kenya already guaranteed a place in the 2027 tournament as co-hosts, these fixtures provide an opportunity for McCarthy to continue building his squad, one that Obiero will be keen to take.
Kenya’s fixtures
Kenya Vs Eritrea– 26th September (African Cup of Nations – Qualification)
Guinea Vs Kenya – 1st October (African Cup of Nations – Qualification)
No.2 – Basil Tuma, Malta
Club: Aldershot Town
Position: Winger
Tuma is attracting plenty of attention at Aldershot Town. Following Scott Davies to Hampshire, the 21-year-old has quickly become an important part of his side. His energy and pace have made him a regular name on the team sheet, having featured in every game so far this season. The goals and assists haven’t quite followed, but Tuma’s journey to regular senior football has been an interesting one.
He made his Reading debut in the EFL Cup at just 17 before also appearing in League One against Cheltenham Town and Exeter City. Davies was the manager who gave Tuma a sustained opportunity in men’s football at Slough Town. He arrived at Arbour Park with the Rebels in the relegation zone. Twelve games later, the club had climbed to 17th, with Tuma contributing three goals.
International football has been harder to come by. Tuma hasn’t featured in Malta’s last six matches, but this international window could provide an opportunity to force his way back into the picture. The winger was also eligible to represent Uganda, who reportedly showed interest before Malta secured his allegiance. Tuma previously caught the eye at the 2023 UEFA Under-19 European Championship.
Malta’s fixtures
Andorra Vs Malta – 24th September (UEFA Nations League – League D)
Malta Vs Liechtenstein – 27th September (International Friendly)
Malta Vs Gibraltar – 1st October (UEFA Nations League – League D)
Malta Vs Andorra – 4th October (UEFA Nations League – League D)
No. 3 – Farhaan Ali Wahid, Bangladesh
Club: Boreham Wood
Position: Winger
For Ali Wahid, this international break could be the start of something special. The 19-year-old Fulham winger is currently gaining valuable experience on loan at Boreham Wood, where he has already made an impression in senior football. Ali Wahid has made six appearances, scoring twice. Both of his goals came at Meadow Bank.
The teenager has previously been recognised as one of the standout players in the Professional Under-21 Development League, where he was shortlisted for the Player of the Season award alongside Chelsea youngster Shumaira Mheuka. Senior international football is likely to be his proudest moment.
Speaking to DAZN, the youngster described the opportunity as ‘amazing’ and ‘very exciting’ while also discussing the support he has received from the Bangladeshi community. The next few weeks will provide the youngster with invaluable experience as he hopes to put his stamp on the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Bangladesh’s fixtures
Bangladesh Vs Malaysia – 25th September (FIFA ASEAN Cup – Division 1)
Singapore Vs Bangladesh – 28th September (FIFA ASEAN Cup – Division 1)
Indonesia Vs Bangladesh – 1st October (FIFA ASEAN Cup – Division 1)
No.4 – Tarryn Allarakhia, Tanzania
Club: Boreham Wood
Position: Winger
A name that the upper echelon of non-league knows well. Allarakhia has been ever present for Woking, Wealdstone, Rochdale, Boreham Wood and his nation, Tanzania. Having played over 150 games of National League football in the last four years, the winger knows the level inside out.
Departing Rochdale with a promotion to his name, he linked up with Luke Garrard in Hertfordshire, favourites to gain back-to-back promotions. The grafting winger has featured in every game so far this season, for a Boreham Wood side competing at the top end of the non-league pyramid.
His international career has also continued to develop. Since returning to the Taifa Stars squad in late 2025, Allarakhia has been a regular part of the national team, featuring in nine consecutive matches and appearing four times during the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
After scoring in a 6-0 rout in Macau, he will be hopeful of starts and goals in the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.
Tanzania’s fixtures
Tanzania Vs Guinea-Bissau – 25th September (African Cup of Nations – Qualification)
Madagascar Vs Tanzania – 29th September (African Cup of Nations – Qualification)
No.5 – Jordon Ragguette, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Club: Maidenhead United
Position: Defender
Dropping down to the sixth tier, another debut beckons for a non-league star. Sitting just off the coast of South America, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to less than 100,000 people, only 30% more than Maidenhead alone. The full back will have plenty of opportunities to make an impression, with the Vincy Heat playing four times in the next few weeks. Ragguette will hope to keep his form while he introduces himself to a whole new audience.
Having joined the Magpies last summer, Ragguette previously bounced around the leagues playing for AFC Totton and Salisbury. The 25-year-old has started the season strongly, including scoring against Farnborough back in August. The full back is perceived to be one of the best outside the EFL and is thought to have played a significant role as part of Salisbury’s fight for survival. If Caribbean football and late nights are your thing, Ragguette could be a player to look out for over the next couple of weeks.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines fixtures
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Vs French Guiana – 26th September (CONCACAF Nations League B)
Belize Vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 30th September (CONCACAF Nations League B)
Sint Maarten Vs Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 3rd October (CONCACAF Nations League B)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Vs Sint Maarten – 6th October (CONCACAF Nations League B)
No.6 – D’Mani Mellor, Yemen
Club: Forest Green Rovers
Position: striker
Perhaps no player on this list has more to gain from the international break than D’Mani Mellor. The former Manchester United academy forward enjoyed a productive spell at newly formed Macclesfield, under the guidance of Robbie Savage. Savage joined Forest Green Rovers last term, creating a saga after signing half a dozen Macclesfield players, including Mellor.
However, it hasn’t been plain sailing for the striker. Mellor has only three goals to his name and is now struggling for minutes at the New Lawn.
His international call-up could provide a welcome opportunity. Mellor recently switched his international allegiance to Yemen and has been called up for the Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia. With Yemen facing Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, there is several opportunities for the striker to make a name for himself and get his career back on track.
Yemen’s fixtures
United Arab Emirates Vs Yemen – 24th September 2026 (Arabian Gulf Cup)
Yemen Vs Qatar – 27th September (Arabian Gulf Cup)
Bahrain Vs Yemen – 30th September (Arabian Gulf Cup)
The beauty of international football is that the spotlight isn’t limited to the Premier League. While England’s biggest names head off around the world, lower league players will be doing the same. For some, it provides a historical moment and for others, it can help get their careers back on track. And while the National League and below don’t stop for the break, you might just spot a familiar name making headlines thousands of miles away.