
The South American championship, with a total of twelve teams taking part (ten South American plus Japan and Qatar), sees the Werkself midfielder playing for the holders – Aránguiz was in the Chile teams that won in 2015 and in the special competition held in 2016 to celebrate the centenary of the South American Football Association (CONMEBOL). Ahead of the tournament, La Roja first have a warm-up game in a friendly against Haiti (6 June) before they start the group stage against Japan on 18 June followed by matches against Ecuador (22 June) and Uruguay (25 June).
Leon Bailey is about to make his international debut for Jamaica. Jamaica have called up the 21-year-old for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the biennial international men's football championship of the North, Central American, and Caribbean region. The Reggae Boyz have a friendly against the USA (6 June) ahead of group matches against Honduras (18 June), El Salvador (22 June) and Curacao (26 June).
Julian Baumgartlinger and Aleksandar Dragovic have also been called up for international duty with the Austria squad. The Austrians have two European championship qualifiers against Slovenia (7 June) and North Macedonia (10 June) – as does Lukas Hradecky with Finland playing Bosnia-Herzegovina (8 June) and Liechtenstein (11 June). Paulinho is part of the Brazil U23 squad at the Maurice Revello tournament in Provence to be held from 1 to 15 June 2019 that involves top youth teams from across the world. Our number seven is set to play in the group stage against Guatemala (2 June), France (5 June) and Qatar (8 June). Isaac Kiese Thelin can now go on holiday. The forward was in the preliminary Sweden squad but has not made the cut. However, he will need to pack his football boots as the 26-year-old is on standby for the European Championship qualifiers against Malta (7 June) and Spain (10 June).
Jonathan Tah, Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt were called up to the Germany squad last week for the European Championship qualifiers in Belarus (8 June) and against Estonia in Mainz (11 June). The Germany senior squad come together in the Dutch city of Venlo on 2 June for a short training camp. After that, Jonathan Tah will take part in the U21 European Championships (16 to 30 June in Italy and San Marino). The Croatia Football Association have already announced that Tin Jedvaj will be in the World Cup runners-up squad for the European Championship qualifier against Wales (8 June) and a friendly against Tunisia (11 June).


Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
Show more
Spurred on by a flawless hat-trick from Cornelia Kramer, the Bayer 04 women’s team won their penultimate pre-season friendly in commanding fashion. As part of the season launch, the Werkself beat Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord 7–0. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86') scored the goals for coach Roberto Pätzold’s side.
Show more
The Shareholders’ Committee of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has extended the contracts of the two managing directors, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, ahead of schedule. The CEO, Fernando Carro (62), will continue in his role until 30 June 2029, and managing director sport Simon Rolfes (44) will remain in post until 30 June 2031.
Show more
There’s plenty for Bayer 04 fans to enjoy both on and off the pitch at the official 2026 season launch. In addition to the women’s team taking on Feyenoord at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 13:15 CEST and the men’s team facing Sevilla at the BayArena at 15:30 CEST, fans of all ages can enjoy a range of activities – and get to meet Bayer 04 players and former players in the process. The Fanwelt is also offering a special promotion: buy a new shirt and get free printing! Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the season launch, including the live streams.
Show more