For Wamser, the World Cup ticket with the German Football Association (DFB) was a mere formality, even before the final two group matches. The Germany team under coach Christian Wück were already through - and the Leverkusen winger played a decisive role. In the 2-0 win against Norway in Cologne, Wamser, who played the full 90 minutes, scored the second goal in the 27th minute with an impressive volley. It was her second goal in her 13th international match. The 2-0 win in Slovenia four days later - this time Wamser played 45 minutes - saw Germany finish top of Group A4 with 16 points from six games.
Claudia Wenger could still qualify for the World Cup finals from 24 June to 25 July 2027 with Austria. The centre-back played in both the 1-0 win against Slovenia and the 2-1 defeat in Norway under new team boss Lars Söndergaard. As the third-placed team in Germany’s group on four points, Austria now enter the first of two possible play-off phases from 7 to 13 October. There, future Leverkusen player Maja Sternad, who started both games for Slovenia, is also hoping to take part in the World Cup.
Kramer did not play for Denmark, but also qualified for the World Cup finals. After wins against Sweden (2-1) and Serbia (4-1), the Danes finished top of Group A1 and can now plan for Brazil.
Five Bayer 04 Women players faced Denmark in each of the last two international matches of the season. Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Julia Mickenhagen, Selina Ostermeier and Sofie Zdebel were all in the starting XI for the 2-2 draw in the second game. Merino Gonzalez and Zdebel started in the 2-0 win in the first friendly, with Mickenhagen (46’) and Ostermeier (61’) coming on as substitutes. Loreen Bender withdrew from the squad before the first match due to personal reasons.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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When Malik Tillman arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen from PSV Eindhoven last summer, he did more than just add attacking midfield strength to the team — he reconnected the club with a unique and understated American lineage that stretches back more than three decades.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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