Argentina with Exequiel Palacios progressed to the Round of 16 thanks to a 2-0 win against Poland. The victory for the Albiceleste, now with six points, secured top spot in the group. Poland are also through in second place with Mexico going home in third place in Group C.
Argentina play Australia in the Round of 16. The game on Saturday 3 December kicks off at 20.00 CET.
The Netherlands with Bayer 04 player Jeremie Frimpong in the squad finished top of Group A. The Oranje beat the pointless Qatar team 2-0 in their final group match. Frimpong did not play.
The Netherlands ended up with seven points and Senegal in second place with six points also go through to the knockout rounds. Frimpong and Co. face the USA in the last sixteen on Saturday 3 December (kick-off: 16.00 CET).
Piero Hincapie and Ecuador were also in Group A. The South Americans lost 2-1 to Senegal on the third and final matchday thereby losing second spot to the African side. With Hincapie in the defence, again playing the full 90 minutes in his third World Cup game, Ecuador levelled at 1-1 on 67 minutes. However, Hincapie and Co. conceded a second goal three minutes later - and that put an end to their tournament with third place on four points.
Iran with Werkself player Sardar Azmoun in the starting eleven also missed out on qualification for the Round of 16 in the crucial third match. One point against direct rivals USA would have been enough but a goal from Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) on 38 minutes saw the USA (five points) move above Iran (three points) in third place in Group B.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
Show more
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
Show more
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.
Show more
