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)
The Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').
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Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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