+++ 26 May: Tillman in hosts USA squad +++
Werkself player Malik Tillman is in final USA World Cup squad. The hosts face Paraguay (in Los Angeles), Australia (in Seattle) and Turkey (in Los Angeles) in Group D. Incidentally, the USA will play their last warm-up game against Germany in Chicago on 6 June.
+++ 25 May: Grimaldo in Spain squad +++
¡Vamos! Werkself player Alejandro Grimaldo - like former Leverkusen player Borja Iglesias - is in the World Cup squad of European champions Spain. In Group H, they face World Cup newcomers Cape Verde (in Atlanta), Saudi Arabia (in Atlanta) and Uruguay (Guadalajara).
+++ 22 May: Quansah named in Three Lions squad +++
England head coach Thomas Tuchel is counting on Jarell Quansah for the World Cup! The Werkself player, who has made one appearance for the Three Lions to date, was part of the 26-man squad announced by the FA on Friday morning. In Group L, Quansah and his teammates will face Croatia (in Dallas), Ghana (in Boston) and Panama (in New York).
+++ 21 May: Czechia with Schick and two former Leverkusen players +++
Following the emotional and ultimately successful World Cup qualification campaign, Czechia national team coach Miroslav Koubek has announced his squad for the finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Among those making the cut is the Werkself's Patrik Schick. Currently the fourth-highest Czech goalscorer of all time, he and his teammates – including former Leverkusen players Matej Kovar and Adam Hlozek – will face South Korea (in Guadalajara), South Africa (in Atlanta) and hosts Mexico (in Mexico City) in Group A.
Alejandro Grimaldo (Spain)
Monday, 15 June (18:00 CEST): Spain vs. Cape Verde
Sunday, 21 June (18: CEST): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
Saturday, 27 June (02:00 CEST): Uruguay vs. Spain
Patrik Schick (Czechia)
Friday, 12 June (04:00 CEST): South Korea vs. Czechia
Thursday, 18 June (18:00 CEST): Czechia vs. South Africa
Thursday, 25 June (03:00 CEST): Czechia vs. Mexico
Jarell Quansah (England)
Wednesday 17 June (22:00 CEST): England vs. Croatia
Tuesday 23 June (22:00 CEST): England vs. Ghana
Saturday 27 June (23:00 CEST): Panama vs. England
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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