
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

Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
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Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
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The German Football League (DFL) has shortlisted Martin Terrier’s scorpion kick goal against 1. FC Köln for the 2025/26 Bundesliga Goal of the Season. Bayer 04 fans can vote for their favourite goal via the Bundesliga app from now until Monday 25 May (23:59 CEST).
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Bayer 04 will be preparing young talents for a potential sporting career in an even more systematic way in future. The club is breaking new ground to help develop their academic, social and personal skills as well. With the ‘Haus der Talente' or 'Talent House’, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH is creating a new centre for the development of young athletes in a central location in Leverkusen. Once completed – expected to be in the summer of 2027 – the project will be run in partnership with TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen e.V.
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