Back
8.11.2024Bayer 04

International updates: Trio in Germany squad – Xhaka and Hradecky face important games

The final international break of the year is coming up. After the Bundesliga game away to VfL Bochum on Saturday, 9 November (kick-off: 15.30 CET), a number of Bayer 04 players will be in action including in the final group matches in the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 or in the next qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The latest updates.
Florian Wirtz

The three Werkself players Jonathan Tah, Robert Andrich and Florian Wirtz have been called up to the Germany squad by coach Julian Nagelsmann. Germany will play Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary in the last two group matches in the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 (see below for match details). Germany are currently top of Group 3 in League A on ten points five ahead of the Netherlands. The Nagelsmann team has already qualified for the quarter-finals.

The Netherlands also play the same two group opponents with Hungary up first and then Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jeremie Frimpong has been selected for the Oranje squad by coach Ronald Koeman. If the Netherlands beat Hungary they will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Xhaka up against European champion Grimaldo

Granit Xhaka is in the Switzerland squad for the final two matches in the Nations League. First up are Serbia followed by the European champions and group leaders Spain. That will bring a meeting with Werkself player Alejandro Grimaldo, called up to the Spain squad who will face Denmark before the game against Switzerland. Switzerland are currently bottom of Group 4 in League A on one point. If Switzerland are unable to beat Serbia then they will be relegated to League B. Xhaka and Co. cannot qualify for the quarter-finals. Grimaldo with Spain, like the Germany players, has already qualified for the quarter-finals with the Spaniards top of their group on ten points three ahead of Denmark.

Finland have to win - chance of promotion for czechia

Several other Bayer 04 players are involved with the last two Nations League group matches. Finland captain Lukas Hradecky with the Eagle Owls play Ireland and Greece. Finland, currently bottom of Group 2 in League B on no points, will be relegated to League C if they fail to beat Ireland. The Eagle Owls cannot be promoted. Matej Kovar is in the Czechia squad for the games against Albania and Georgia. The Czechs are currently top of Group 1 in League B and have a good chance of being promoted. If they win their first match against Albania and Georgia lose to Ukraine at the same time then promotion to League A is sealed on matchday five. 

Palacios in next world cup qualifiers

Exequiel Palacios has been called up to the Argentina squad by coach Lionel Scaloni. The Albiceleste are set to play matchdays 11 and 12 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru. Palacios and Co. currently top the South American qualifying table on 22 points. The first six of ten teams qualify directly for the finals with the seventh placed taking part in intercontinental play-offs.

Duo in last afcon qualifiers

Two Werkself players are involved in the last two qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. Edmond Tapsoba, already qualified with Burkina Faso for the AFCON finals in the last international break in October, is set to be in action on matchday five against Senegal who have also already qualified. Matchday six brings the final qualifier against Malawi. Victor Boniface with Nigeria is in line to play against Benin and Rwanda. The Super Eagles are currently top of Group D on ten points but are not yet certain of qualifying.

Call-ups by other national associations are to follow and we will provide updates as soon as possible.

INTERNATIONAL CALL-UPS:

Jonathan Tah, Robert Andrich and Florian Wirtz (Germany)

16/11: Germany vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (UEFA Nations League)

19/11: Hungary vs Germany (UEFA Nations League)

Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands)

16/11: Netherlands vs Hungary(UEFA Nations League)

19/11: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Netherlands (UEFA Nations League)

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)

15/11: Switzerland vs Serbia (UEFA Nations League)

18/11: Spain vs Switzerland (UEFA Nations League)

 

Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain)

15/11: Denmark vs Spain (UEFA Nations League)

18/11: Spain vs Switzerland (UEFA Nations League)

Lukas Hradecky (Finland)

14/11.: Ireland vs Finland (UEFA Nations League)

17/11.: Finland vs Greece (UEFA Nations League)

Matej Kovar (Czechia)

16/11: Albania vs Czechia (UEFA Nations League)

19/11: Czechia vs Georgia (UEFA Nations League)

Exequiel Palacios (Argentina)

15/11: Paraguay vs Argentina (World Cup qualifier)

20/11: Argentina vs Peru (World Cup qualifier)

Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)

14/11: Burkina Faso vs Senegal (AFCON qualifier)

17/11: Malawi vs Burkina Faso (AFCON qualifier)

Victor Boniface (Nigeria)

14/11: Benin vs Nigeria (AFCON qualifier)

18/11: Nigeria vs Rwanda (AFCON qualifier)

 

Related News

Jubel der Werkself
Women - 08.10.2026

Women: 3-1 win in friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach

The Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').

Show more
Christian Kofane
Bayer 04 - 08.10.2026

Striker Christian Kofane sidelined

Bayer 04 will have to manage without striker Christian Kofane in the coming weeks. The 20-year-old sustained a muscle injury to his left thigh on international duty with the Cameroon national team during the recent international break. This will prevent him from playing in the upcoming Werkself matches.

Show more
Sheraldo Becker und Phillip Tietz
Bundesliga - 08.10.2026

Our next opponents: Deadly duo on form up front

FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Chinesische Delegation mit Stefan Kießling
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026

BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou visits Leverkusen

Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.

Show more
Carolin Simon beim AMA
Women - 07.10.2026

‘Hearts and souls’: Werkself captain Carolin Simon on Ask Me Anything

Fans ask, Carolin Simon answers: As part of Bayer 04’s second Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit, the Leverkusen captain took questions from the community. The full-back, who returned to the club this summer after ten years away, set aside an hour and a half for the Q&A session with fans, offering a very personal insight into, amongst other things, her daily life as a footballer and her role as captain, as well as her passion for Pokémon.

Show more