International update: Diaby makes debut for France
The international break has started: Five Werkself players were in action on Wednesday night. It was a very special evening for Moussa Diaby.
Congratulations, Moussa. The 21-year-old made his debut for the France senior team in Strasbourg on Wednesday night. France coach Didier Deschamps called up the Werkself number 19 to his squad for the first time. Diaby started on the bench for the World Cup qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the closing stages of the game, the France coach called over the winger to bring him on. Diaby came on for Kylian Mbappé on 90 minutes with the score at 1-1 as he made his debut for the Equipe Tricolore. The match ended all square.
The Finnish Werkself players also started on the bench. First choice keeper Lukas Hradecky was rested for the friendly against Wales and he was replaced by Carljohan Eriksson in Helsinki. Joel Pohjanpalo was also a substitute at the start of the game – he was brought on on 73 minutes but was unable to change the 0-0 scoreline.
Russia, without Andrey Lunev between the sticks, drew 0-0 with Croatia in Moscow in the first World Cup qualifier in Group H. Greece lost 3-1 against Switzerland and friendly and Panos Retsos did not feature in Basel.
remaining international fixtures
Charles Aránguiz (World Cup qualifiers)
3.9., 03:00 CEST, Chile vs Brazil, Santiago
5.9., 23:00 CEST, Ecuador vs Chile, Quito
10.9., 01:00 CEST, Colombia vs Chile, Bogota
Mitchel Bakker and Jeremie Frimpong (U21 Euros qualifier)
7.9.,18:45 CEST, Netherlands vs Moldova, Deventer
Moussa Diaby (World Cup qualifier)
4.9., 20:45 CEST, Ukraine vs France, Kiev
7.9., 20:45 CEST, France vs Finland, Lyon
Emrehan Gedikli (U19 friendlies)
3.9., 17:00 CEST, Germany vs Switzerland, Bad Dürrheim
6.9., 17:15 CEST, Germany vs England, Bad Dürrheim
Piero Hincapie (World Cup qualifiers)
2.9., 23:00 CEST, Ecuador vs Paraguay, Quito
5.9., 23:00 CEST, Ecuador vs Chile, Quito
10.9., 0:30 CEST, Uruguay vs Ecuador, Montevideo
Lukas Hradecky and Joel Pohjanpalo (World Cup qualifiers)
4.9., 15:00 CEST, Finland vs Kazakhstan, Helsinki
7.9., 20:45 CEST, France vs Finland, Lyon
Odilon Kossounou (World Cup qualifiers)
3.9., 15:00 CEST, Mozambique vs Ivory Coast, Maputo
6.9., 21:00 CEST, Ivory Coast vs Cameroon, Abidjan
Andrey Lunev (World Cup qualifiers)
4.9., 18:00 CEST, Cyprus vs Russia, Nicosia
7.9., 20:45 CEST, Russia vs Malta, Moscow
Exequiel Palacios (World Cup qualifiers)
3.9., 02:00, Venezuela vs Argentina, San Cristobal
5.9., 21:00 CEST, Brazil vs Argentina, Rio de Janeiro
10.9., 01:30 CEST, Argentina vs Bolivia, Buenos Aires
Panos Retsos (World Cup qualifiers)
5.9., 20:45 CEST, Kosovo vs Greece, Pristina
8.9., 20:45 CEST, Greece vs Sweden, Athens
Zidan Sertdemir (U17 friendlies)
3.9., 16:30 CEST, Denmark vs Austria, Skagen
6.9., 11:00 CEST, Denmark vs Austria, Frederikshavn
Florian Wirtz (World Cup qualifiers)
2.9., 20:45 CEST, Liechtenstein vs Germany, St. Gallen
5.9., 20:45 CEST, Germany vs Armenia, Stuttgart
8.9., 20:45 CEST, Iceland vs Germany, Reykjavik
Related News
Bayer 04 - 25.05.2026
Season review 2025/26, part II: Highs and lows of an eventful season
Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 24.05.2026
2025/26 season review, part I: Upheaval, change, euphoria
Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
Show more
Women - 22.05.2026
Seventh new arrival: Bayer 04 sign centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein from Frankfurt
The Bayer 04 Women’s squad for the coming season is continuing to take shape: Centre-back Emily Wallrabenstein has moved to Leverkusen from Eintracht Frankfurt’s reserve team, who play in the Women’s Bundesliga 2. The 19-year-old has penned a contract until 30 June 2028.
Show more
Women - 21.05.2026
Bayer 04 sign midfielder Paulina Platner from Essen
Bayern 04 Women have confirmed another summer signing, with midfielder Paulina Platner moving to Leverkusen from SGS Essen. The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Werkself.
Show more
