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9.11.2025Bayer 04

Internationals: Nine Werkself players called up by their countries

The last international break of this calendar year features the final qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. An overview of who's playing where and when from a Leverkusen point of view.
Grimaldo für Spanien im Einsatz

european section of world cup qualifying concludes

Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia are in the Spain squad for their last two World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Türkiye. La Roja currently lead Group E with four wins from four matches. Georgia are third (three points) and Türkiye second (nine points).

Mark Flekken and Netherlands also contest their final World Cup qualifiers, with Poland and Lithuania their opponents. The Oranje are top of Group G on 16 points, followed by Poland on 13. Lithuania are fourth with three points. Meanwhile, the Dutch U21 side featuring Ernest Poku are involved in qualifying for the 2027 European Under-21 Championship in Albania and Serbia. They play Slovenia and Israel. Netherlands occupy fourth place with two points from two matches; Slovenia (three points) and Israel (one point) are either side of them having both played one game more.

Jarell Quansah has been named in the England squad again. The Three Lions, who have already booked their place at next summer's tournament, play Serbia and Albania in their last two qualifying matches. With a perfect record of 18 points from six games so far and no goals conceded, England are seven points clear at the top of Group K, with Albania (11 points) and Serbia (10) following in second and third positions.

Patrik Schick and Czech Republic play a friendly against San Marino before their final World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar. The Czechs are currently second in Group L with 13 points. Gibraltar prop up the table with no points.

Kofane selected by cameroon for the first time

Christian Kofane has received his first call-up to the Cameroon senior national team. The West Africans, who finished the group stage of World Cup qualifying in October as one of the four best second-placed sides, now begin a second round, where the four runners-up play against each other. Cameroon take on DR Congo first, and if they win that they'll meet the winners of the other tie between Nigeria and Gabon.

The winner of this stage will go through to the intercontinental play-offs, in which six teams from all the continents besides Europe will battle it out for the final two World Cup spots in March 2026. As well as the African representative, one country each from Asia, Oceania and South America will take part along with two teams from North America. 

Tapsoba, Ben Seghir and Maza in friendlies

For Edmond Tapsoba and Burkina Faso, who narrowly missed out on reaching the aforementioned second round of World Cup qualification in October, friendlies are now on the agenda. They play Niger and Benin. Eliesse Ben Seghir and Morocco, who long since secured their World Cup ticket, take on Mozambique and Uganda in friendlies. Likewise, Ibrahim Maza and Algeria play friendlies against Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia with their World Cup place already in the bag.

The call-ups and fixtures at a glance (all times CET):

Alejandro Grimaldo and Aleix Garcia (Spain)

Saturday 15/11, 18:00: Georgia v Spain (World Cup qualifying, match 4)

Tuesday 18/11, 20:45: Spain v Türkiye (World Cup qualifying, match 5)

Mark Flekken (Netherlands)

Friday 14/11, 20:45: Poland v Netherlands (World Cup qualifying, match 6)

Monday 17/11, 20:45: Netherlands v Lithuania (World Cup qualifying, match 7)

Jarell Quansah (England)

Thursday 13/11, 20:45: England v Serbia (World Cup qualifying, match 7)

Sunday 16/11, 18:00: Albania v England (World Cup qualifying, match 8)

Patrik Schick (Czech Republic)

Thursday 13/11, 18:00: Czech Republic v San Marino (friendly)

Monday 17/11, 20:45: Czech Republic v Gibraltar (World Cup qualifying, match 8)

Christian Kofane (Cameroon)

Thursday 13/11, 20:00: Cameroon v DR Congo (2nd round African World Cup qualifying, match 1)

(if applicable) Sunday 16/11, 20:00: Nigeria/Gabon v Cameroon (2nd round African World Cup qualifying, match 2)

Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso)

Friday 14/11, 14:00: Burkina Faso v Niger (friendly)

Tuesday 18/11, 14:00: Burkina Faso v Benin (friendly)

Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco)

Friday 14/11, 20:00: Morocco v Mozambique (friendly)

Tuesday 18/11, 20:00: Morocco v Uganda (friendly)

Ibrahim Maza (Algeria)

Thursday 13/11, 17:30: Algeria v Zimbabwe (friendly)

Tuesday 18/11, 17:30: Saudi Arabia v Algeria (friendly)

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