Carlotta Wamser and Germany have the best starting position of the Leverkusen senior national team trio in the race for an early ticket to the World Cup in Brazil (24 June to 25 July 2027). Germany, currently top of Group A4 with ten points from four games, can seal qualification as early as Friday 5 June against Norway in Cologne. The clash against Slovenia on Tuesday 9 June in Bratislava would then probably be a dead rubber. Wamser's team-mates Rafaela Borggräfe and Estrella Merino Gonzalez have been called up by Germany coach Christian Wück.
In the same group, Austria with the Leverkusen centre-back Claudia Wenger only have one point so far. Even if the situation is the same after the two games against Slovenia and Norway under new coach Lars Söndergaard, the 25-year-old will still be hoping to reach the World Cup finals. The play-offs will take place in mid-October, with all non-group winners from the four qualifying A Leagues taking part. Forward Valentina Mädl is on call for the training programme.
Cornelia Kramer and Denmark have a good chance of avoiding the play-offs. The Scandinavians have picked up eight points so far as leaders of Group A1 and face Sweden at home and Serbia away in the last two games.
Six Bayer 04 Women have two home internationals with the Germany U23 team. After finishing the round of international matches in fifth place, coach Michael Urbansky's team will now play two friendlies against Denmark in Leipzig on Thursday, 4 June and in Halle on Monday, 8 June. The Werkself once again have the largest group of players in the 24-strong squad, with Borggräfe and Merino Gonzalez joined by Julia Mickenhagen, Loreen Bender, Selina Ostermeier and Sofie Zdebel.
The call-ups:
Cornelia Kramer (Denmark)
Friday, 5 June: Denmark vs. Sweden (World Cup qualifier)
Tuesday, 9 June: Serbia vs. Denmark (World Cup qualifier)
Carlotta Wamser (Germany)
Friday, 5 June: Germany vs. Norway (World Cup qualifier)
Tuesday, 9 June: Slovenia vs. Germany (World Cup qualifier)
Claudia Wenger (Austria)
Friday, 5 June: Austria vs. Slovenia (World Cup qualifier)
Tuesday, 9 June: Norway vs. Austria (World Cup qualifier)
Rafaela Borggräfe, Estrella Merino Gonzalez, Julia Mickenhagen, Loreen Bender, Selina Ostermeier and Sofie Zdebel (Germany U23)
Thursday, 4 June: Germany vs. Denmark (international fixture)
Monday, 8 June: Germany vs. Denmark (international fixture)
Former Bundesliga and Germany keeper Manfred Manglitz, who was promoted to the Oberliga West with Bayer 04 in 1962, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.
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Following the summer break of around two months, the Bayer 04 first team squad took to the training pitches at the BayArena for the first time on Tuesday – and the players were in high spirits. Alongside the newly formed coaching team led by head coach Carles Martínez, new signing Afonso Moreira also completed his first session with the squad. In front of several hundred Bayer 04 fans at the open session, numerous Werkself players worked up a good sweat. The Leverkusen players who took part in the World Cup will join pre-season training at a later date.
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In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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