The 18-year-old as again in the Germany squad. During the last international break, Wirtz became the youngest Germany full international in the history the Werkself. Coach Hansi Flick is once again shown his confidence in him. Germany play Romania at the Volkspark Stadium in Hamburg on Friday, 8 October (kick-off: 20.45 CEST), and three days later, the captain Manuel Neuer and Co. are away in North Macedonia (11 October, kick-off: 20.45 CEST).
Charles Aránguiz (Chile), Piero Hincapie (Ecuador), Exequiel Palacios and Lucas Alario (both Argentina) face long-distance flights to South America. All four Bayer 04 players are involved in three World Cup qualifiers. Palacios and Alario, with Argentina, first play Paraguay (8 October, kick-off: 02.00 CEST). The Albiceleste then play Uruguay on 11 October (kick-off: 01.30 CEST).
Jeremie Frimpong and Mitchel Bakker are again with the Holland U21 team during the forthcoming international break. The Werkself defenders are away with the Oranje against Switzerland (8 October, kick-off: 19.00 CEST) matters followed by a home match against Wales (12 October, kick-off: 20.00 CEST). Bayer 04 captain Lukas Hradecky with Finland is up against Ukraine (9 October, kick-off: 19.00 CEST) and Kazakhstan (12 October, kick-off: 16.00 CEST).
Florian Wirtz (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Germany vs Romania, Hamburg
11.10.21, 20.45 CEST, North Macedonia vs Germany, Skopje
Charles Aránguiz (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 03.00 CEST, Peru vs Chile, Lima
11.10.21, 02.00 CEST, Chile vs Paraguay, Santiago
15.10.21, 02.00 CEST, Chile vs Venezuela, Santiago
Odilon Kossounou (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 15.00 CEST, Malawi vs Ivory Coast, Johannesburg
11.10.21, 18.00 CEST, Ivory Coast vs Malawi, Cotonou
Exequiel Palacios and Lucas Alario (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 02.00 CEST, Paraguay vs Argentina, Asuncíon
11.10.21, 01.30 CEST, Argentina vs Uruguay, Buenos Aires
15.10.21, 01.30 CEST, Argentina vs Peru, Buenos Aires
Mitchel Bakker and Jeremie Frimpong (U21 Euros qualifiers)
8.10.21, 19.00 CEST, Switzerland vs Netherlands, Lausanne
12.10.21, 20.00 CEST, Netherlands vs Wales, Nijmegen
Amine Adli (U21 Euros qualifiers)
8.10.21, 18.30 CEST, France vs Ukraine, Brest
12.10.21, 18.30 CEST, Serbia vs Francs, Belgrade
Lukas Hradecky (World Cup qualifiers)
9.10.21, 18.00 CEST, Finland vs Ukraine, Helsinki
12.10.21, 16.00 CEST, Kazakhstan vs Finland, Astana
Patrik Schick (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Czech Republic vs Wales, Prague
11.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Belarus vs Czech Republic, Kazan
Andrey Lunev (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Russia vs Slovakia, Kazan
11.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Slovenia vs Russia, Maribor
Moussa Diaby (Nations League)
7.10.21, 20.45 CEST, Belgium vs France, Turin (Semi-final)
10.10.21, 20.45 CEST, France/Belgium vs Italy/Spain, Turin (Final or third-place match)
Piero Hincapie (World Cup qualifiers)
8.10.21, 02.30 CEST, Ecuador vs Bolivia, Guayaquil
10.10.21, 22.30 CEST, Venezuela vs Ecuador, Caracas
14.10.21, 23.00 CEST, Colombia vs Ecuador, Barranquilla
Zidan Sertdemir (U17 Euro qualifiers)
6.10.21, Montenegro vs Denmark, Paola
9.10.21, Malta vs Denmark, Paola
12.10.21, Denmark vs Turkey, Paola
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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After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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