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)
From his arrival at the airport, the medical and contract signing, right through to photo shoots, his very own trading card and his first interview at the BayArena: Werkself TV followed new signing Afonso Moreira up close on his first day in Leverkusen. In the interview, the 21-year-old Portuguese left-winger, who has joined the Werkself from Lyon, talks about his excitement ahead of joining Bayer 04 and the Bundesliga, as well as his conversation with head coach Carles Martínez. Moreira also reveals the secret behind his iconic goal celebration – which he intends to perform “as often as possible” at the BayArena next season...
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A new signing for the U19s: Bayer 04 have signed winger Clinton Wilson from Schalke 04. The 18-year-old previously played for Leverkusen youth teams from January to June 2024.
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After eight years, Ida Daedelow is set to leave Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The 18-year-old, whose original contract was due to run to 2027, is joining second-division side VfL Bochum.
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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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