A clash of major importance with Leverkusen -layers involved will be played in Prague on Thursday night, 26 March, when the Czechs host Ireland in the semi-finals of the European World Cup play-offs. Kick-off is at 20:45 pm. Should Patrik Schick and Co. prevail, their opponents in the decider for the World Cup ticket on Tuesday 31 March will be either Denmark or North Macedonia.
Five other Werkself players have friendlies with their national teams in preparation for the World Cup in the summer. Among others, Alejandro Grimaldo plays with Spain against Serbia, Malik Tillman with the USA faces Portugal and Ibrahim Maza and Algeria will play against Uruguay.
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso) and Christian Kofane (Cameroon) did not qualify for the World Cup with their national teams, but will also play two friendlies each. Ernest Poku is with the Netherlands U21s, Montrell Culbreath is set to play for the Germany U19s and Axel Tape has been called up to the France U19 squad.
Last week, around three months before the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the film ‘A Summer in Italy - World Cup 1990’ was released in cinemas across Germany. This emotional documentary provides new, intimate insights from the players into the tournament, which was historic from a German perspective as winners.
International fixtures:
Patrik Schick (Czechia)
Thursday, 26/03: Czechia vs Ireland (World Cup qualifier, play-offs)
Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain)
Friday, 27/03: Spain vs Serbia (Friendly)
Monday, 30/03: Spain vs Egypt (Friendly)
Mark Flekken (Netherlands)
Friday, 27/03: Netherlands vs Norway (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: Netherlands vs Ecuador (Friendly)
Exequiel Palacios (Argentina)
Saturday, 28.03: Argentina vs Mauritania (Friendly)
Wednesday, 01.04: Argentina vs Zambia (Friendly)
Malik Tillman (USA)
Saturday, 28/03: USA vs Belgium (Friendly)
Wednesday, 01/04: USA vs Portugal (Friendly)
Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)
Saturday, 28/03: Burkina Faso vs Guinea-Bissau (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: Burkina Faso vs Guinea-Bissau (Friendly)
Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)
Friday, 27/03: Algeria vs Guatemala (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: Algeria vs Uruguay (Friendly)
Christian Kofane (Cameroon)
Friday 27/03: Australia vs Cameroon (Friendly)
Tuesday, 31/03: China vs Cameroon (Friendly)
Ernest Poku (Netherlands U21)
Friday, 27/03: Norway vs Netherlands (European Championship qualifier)
Montrell Culbreath (Germany U19)
Wednesday, 25/03: Germany vs Sweden (European Championship qualifier)
Saturday, 28/03: Germany vs Greece (European Championship qualifier)
Tuesday, 31/03: Austria vs Germany (European Championship qualifier)
Axel Tape (France U19)
Wednesday, 25/03: Norway vs France (European Championship qualifier)
Saturday, 28/03: France vs Switzerland (European Championship qualifier)
Tuesday, 31/03: France vs Croatia (European Championship qualifier)
From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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