Germany with Wamser and Austria with Wenger made completely different starts to qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil (24 June to 25 July 2027). While Germany topped Group A4 after two impressive victories against Slovenia (5-0) and Norway (4-0), Austria lost 1-0 to both Norway and Slovenia.
That is one of the reasons why there are clear favourites in the head-to-head games. First, Germany coach Christian Wück's team host their neighbours in Nuremberg on Tuesday, 14 April. Then, four days later on Saturday, 18 April, Wamser and Co. are away in Ried, Upper Austria. As with the last training camp, midfielder Katharina Piljic is on standby for Germany as is forward Valentina Mädl for Austria.
Meanwhile, Cornelia Kramer returns to the Denmark squad. The Scandinavians collected four points from their first two matches without the striker. Now fully fit after muscular problems, the 23-year-old, who has five international caps so far, is back in the squad for the games against Sweden and Italy.
As in March, when the Germany U23s team missed out on a place in the final four of the international tournament, Bayer 04 once again form the largest group in coach Michael Urbansky's team: Loreen Bender, Selina Ostermeier, Piljic and Sofie Zdebel return and Estrella Merino Gonzalez, who was recently absent due to injury, is also back. Julia Mickenhagen, who was called up to replace her team-mate last time out, is on standby again. The same applies to goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe. In the qualifiers in Spain, the U23s first play Belgium on Sunday 12 April and then either Italy or Portugal on Thursday 16 April.
Sana Coskun from the Leverkusen U23s in the Regionalliga West is also on international duty. The 17-year-old, who made her first three Bundesliga appearances this season, is taking part in a qualifying tournament with Turkey in Albania for this year's U19 European Championships (27 June to 10 July in Bosnia). The team will face Liechtenstein, Albania and Montenegro.
International call-ups:
Cornelia Kramer (Denmark)
Tuesday, 14/04: Sweden vs Denmark (World Cup qualifier)
Saturday, 18/04: Denmark vs Italy (World Cup qualifier)
Carlotta Wamser (Germany)
Tuesday, 14/04: Germany vs Austria (World Cup qualifier)
Saturday, 18/04: Austria vs Germany (World Cup qualifier)
Claudia Wenger (Austria)
Tuesday, 14/04: Germany vs Austria (World Cup qualifier)
Saturday, 18/04: Austria vs Germany (World Cup qualifier)
Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Katharina Piljic, Loreen Bender, Selina Ostermeier and Sofie Zdebel (Germany U23s)
Sunday, 12/04: Germany vs Belgium (international qualifying round)
Thursday, 16/04: Italy/Portugal vs Germany (international qualifying round)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
Show more
The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
Show more
A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
Show more
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
Show more
