#InternationalWerkself: Azmoun wins CAFA Nations Cup
An emphatic victory and a final win: Five Bayer 04 players were in action again for their National teams in recent days and they provided some genuine highlights – the international update.
Werkself player Sardar Azmoun was in the Iran starting line-up in the final of the CAFA Nations Cup on Tuesday night 20 June. The tournament is the Central Asian championship and it was played for the first time in 2023. For Azmoun and his teammates the opponents in the final were Uzbekistan. The Bayer 04 striker scored the only goal of the game on 48 minutes to win the inaugural CAFA Nations Cup – congratulations, Sardar!
emphatic victory for HRADCEKY, wins for Hlozek and Pentz
Bayer 04 captain Lukas Hradecky with Finland faced San Marino on Monday 19 June. Hradecky and Co. clocked up an emphatic 6-0 victory in the Euro 2024 qualifier. The Eagle Owls lead Group H with three wins from four games.
Striker Adam Hlozek played for Czechia a day later in a friendly against Montenegro. The Czechs won the game 4-1. Hlozek came off the bench on 70 minutes and he scored the final goal of the game on 85 minutes. Austria, with goalkeeper Patrick Pentz in the squad, played Sweden in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The match in Vienna ended in a 2-0 for the hosts. Pentz did not feature. Midfielder Florian Wirtz was in the Germany squad for the final friendly in the current international break against Colombia on Tuesday night. The match at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen ended in a 2-0 defeat for the team coached by Hansi Flick. Wirtz did not play.
Forthcoming international fixtures:
Amine Adli (France U21)
22 June: France U21 vs Italy U21 (Group stage, U21 Euros)
25 June: Norway U21 vs France U21 (Group stage, U21 Euros)
28 June: France U21 vs Switzerland U21 (Group stage, U21 Euros)
Related News
Bayer 04 - 08.06.2026
Culbreath in Germany squad for U19 Euros - Onyeka also called up
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 05.06.2026
Carles Martínez: 'The fans should enjoy our football'
New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 04.06.2026
Carles Martínez Novell is new Bayer 04 head coach
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 04.06.2026
Profile of Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez Novell
Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 04.06.2026
2026/27 summer timetable: season opener against Sevilla - friendlies in Germany
Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
