Katanec has called up Maribor players Damjan Bohar and Mitja Viler, as well as Domžale players Amadej Vetrih in Jan Repas. Defender Matija Boben will make his national team debut. As expected based on the most recent lineup, Boštjan Cesar and Kevin Kampl are returning to the team.

Katanec has made the most changes to the forwards lineup. Bezjak and Robert Berič are out, and Tim Matavž is back. Andraž Šporar is making his second appearance playing for the national team. "I was also thinking about Patrik Eler, but he also plays one game, and is then off for the next game," said Katanec.

"We called up the players who play semi-regularly or at least occasionally. I have no other comments. I can’t call up those who don’t play at all," said Katanec, who was not present at Maribor’s Ljudski Vrt stadium on Tuesday because of personal commitments, but plans to be there for the upcoming games.

"I’m following the players closely and if someone is in a good form, why shouldn’t we take advantage of that? The players on the list all have enough potential, but we’ll see if that potential carries over to the games. We’ll see during our training sessions if I can count on them. Viler, for instance, is performing well right now," said the coach and added that the Sunday match between Olimpija and Maribor will not affect his list.

"No, that game won’t affect the lineup. We have two players from Maribor. As far as Olimpija is concerned, I won’t be calling up any of their players," explained Katanec.

Four qualification rounds have yet to be played. England is on top of Group F will 14 points. Slovakia is second with 12 points, while Slovenia has 11. That’s why the September 1 match in Trnava will be one of the most important games in this qualification season. The leader of each group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-ranked team will take part in a play-off round.