Four Werkself players at the World Cup

In Group A, there is a clash between Leverkusen teammates: Piero Hincapie with Ecuador and Jeremie Frimpong with the Netherlands face each other on matchday 2 (25 November, 17.00 CET). Frimpong on his World Cup call-up: "I'm very happy about being called up. It's a dream for every player to be at a World Cup. Now it's come true for me." The other teams in the group are Qatar, who Hincapie and Co. face in the opening match on 20 November, and Senegal.

Iran start against England

The Black and Reds are also represented in Group B: Iran with Bayer 04 striker Sardar Azmoun play England in their first game on 21 November. That is followed four days later by the group match against Wales and Iran finish the group stage with the clash with the USA on 29 November.

Palacios and Co. in group C

Another Werkself player is battling to progress to the knockout rounds with his fellow countrymen in Group C: Exequiel Palacios, along with the seven-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, is in the Argentina squad. The Leverkusen midfielder and the Albiceleste play Saudi Arabia (22 November), Mexico (26 November) and Poland (30 November).

Wirtz in St. Louis 

Florian Wirtz is not at the World Cup. The 19-year-old midfielder has been out of action since the middle of March due to a torn cruciate and has recently returned to full training with the Werkself. Germany coach Hansi Flick spoke about Wirtz at the press conference presenting the Germany World Cup squad on Thursday: "There's no question we would have been glad to have a player with the quality of Florian Wirtz. But he's been out for a long time with a serious injury and is now just coming back into full training. The most important thing for him is to get back on the pitch fit and well and then give his all again in January."

Wirtz travelled to St. Louis with his Leverkusen teammates on Sunday 13 November for the #Bayer04USATour. The tour includes a friendly against St. Louis CITY Soccer Club on Wednesday 16 November.

World Cup  group games involving Bayer 04 players:

Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands)

Senegal vs Netherlands (Monday, 21 November, 17.00 CET)

Netherlands vs Ecuador (Friday, 25 November, 17.00 CET)

Netherlands vs Qatar (Tuesday, 29 November, 16.00 CET)

Piero Hincapie (Ecuador):

Qatar vs Ecuador (Sunday, 20 November, 17.00 CET)

Netherlands vs Ecuador (Friday, 25 November, 17.00 CET)

Ecuador vs Senegal (Tuesday, 29 November, 16.00 CET)

Sardar Azmoun (Iran):

England vs Iran (Monday, 21 November, 14.00 CET)

Wales vs Iran (Friday, 25 November, 11.00 CET)

Iran vs USA (Tuesday, 29 November, 20.00 CET)

Exequiel Palacios (Argentina):

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia (Tuesday, 22. November, 11.00 CET)

Argentina vs Mexico (Saturday, 26 November, 20.00 CET)

Poland vs Argentina (Wednesday, 30 November, 20.00 CET)

TRIO in friendlies

A number of countries who have not qualified for the World Cup finals in Qatar are involved in friendlies in November. That includes Bayer 04 captain Lukas Hradecky with Finland who play North Macedonia on 17 November and Norway three days later.

Morocco's capital Marrakesh is the venue for two Leverkusen defenders playing each other: Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso meet the Ivory Coast on 19 November. Amine Adli is on the road with the France U21 squad and they play Norway in Caen on 19 November.