THE AFL International Cup is gearing up for today's first ever Community Round.

Twelve games will be played across Victoria as IC14 battles are held at suburban, state-league and country football venues.

The concept is designed to provide international teams with the opportunity to experience the community atmosphere which is created each and every week at grounds throughout Australia.

Games will be played before or immediately after regular matches with community clubs welcoming competing teams with open arms.

The round of matches also shapes as tournament defining in the Men’s Division with semi-final berths up for grabs.

Six teams remain undefeated after two rounds, but only three will hold that title at the end of the day.

Ireland v Nauru, New Zealand v USA and South Africa v PNG loom as the biggest matches of the tournament so far.

Ireland, the reigning champions, has enjoyed two big wins to date but the Warriors will have to be at their best to overcome the Nauru Chiefs at Bendigo’s QEO at 5.30pm.

It’s a similar story for New Zealand who has strolled through the opening two rounds but faces a much tougher test against a highly regarded USA outfit.

The Stars and Stripes shrugged off Canada on Wednesday and have the firepower to trouble the very best.

The big clash will be held at 12.30pm as the curtain raiser to the Eastern Football League blockbuster between Montrose and Blackburn.

The third virtual quarter final will see PNG and South Africa tackle one another at 12.00pm before St Mary hosts North Shore in the Geelong Football League.

All teams will be out to climb the rankings today which will determine their opponent on Tuesday when the 18 Men’s teams are split into three categories: Top 4, teams ranked 5-12 and 13-18.

While Pakistan and India are both out of contention for the overall title, their clash today after the VFL encounter between Richmond and Essendon will be one of the highlights of the tournament.

The sporting rivalry between the two close neighbours is as fierce as any around the globe but today’s International Cup match has been hailed the Dosti (Friendship) Cup.