After two starts in succession, Leon Bailey (pictured above in game against El Salvador) did not feature in the final match in Group C against the team from the Caribbean island state at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. With the 21-year-old looking on, Shamar Nicholson opened the scoring for Jamaica (14') before Curacao levelled with a fortunate equaliser in the third minute of added time. The one point was enough to see the unbeaten Reggae Boyz top the group on five points ahead of Curacao (4), El Salvador (4) and Honduras (3).
The opponents in the quarter-finals will be decided in the early hours of Thursday when USA and Panama, currently level on points, meet in Group D to resolve who wins the group – group winners Jamaica will play the second-placed team on Sunday (30 June, 23.30 CET).
The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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