Bayer Leverkusen is a German football club. The club was founded in 1904. Bayer Leverkusen is commonly known by the code BAY. Home matches are played at BayArena in Leverkusen, which has a listed capacity of 30,210 on a grass surface. Bayer Leverkusen competes in UEFA Europa League and other competitions tracked on Sportra. Bayer Leverkusen's Sportra hub links squad lists, upcoming fixtures, recent results, multi-competition standings, advanced season statistics, and headline news in one place. On Sportra you can follow Bayer Leverkusen fixtures, results, squad, league standings, season statistics, and the latest football news.
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Czechia face a must-win Matchday 3 against 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico, and in a tactical twist, star forward Patrik Schick has been left out of the European side's starting XI. It is all-or-nothing for Czechia on the final matchday of the 2026 World Cup group stage as they square off against co-hosts Mexico in desperate pursuit of a vital victory. However, the biggest pre-match headline for the Europeans is a stunning one: forward Patrik Schick will not be on the pitch at the opening whistle. Despite this being a decisive fixture where only a win can keep Czechia‘s knockout hopes alive, coach Miroslav Koubek has made the bold decision to relegate Schick to the substitutes’ bench. Stepping into the starting lineup in place of the Bayer Leverkusen striker is Adam Hlozek, who previously featured as a substitute in the opening-day defeat to South Korea before getting the nod to start in the 1-1 draw against South Africa. In addition to the Czech striker’s absence, Koubek also opted to leave Tomas Soucek out of the starting lineup. The West Ham midfielder started in the tournament opener but was relegated to the bench for the second match. STARTING XI 🇨🇿🆚🇲🇽Aztécký chrám odhalil jména základní sestavy proti Mexiku. 🛕🇲🇽 #ProTenhleMoment #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/GB7GnkWk5M— Česká fotbalová reprezentace (@ceskarepre_cz) June 24, 2026 What Czechia needs to qualify for the Round of 32 Czechia find theirselves in an incredibly precarious position heading into the final matchday of the group stage, facing a strict must-win scenario at Mexico City Stadium to keep their knockout stage dreams alive. To have any hope of advancing to the Round of 32, Czechia must pull off an upset victory against Mexico while simultaneously cheering for South Africa to defeat South Korea in the parallel fixture. This combination would blow the group wide open, allowing them to vie for either second or third place in Group A. Anything less than three points spells immediate elimination. A draw would leave the Czechs with a total of two points; while that could mathematically mirror a third-place finish depending on other results, a two-point tally will not be enough to advance via the tournament’s eight best third-place wild-card spots.
Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer amid great fanfare in a then-British record £116m deal - but remained an enigma as he fell far short of expectations. Liverpool still have huge hopes for a gifted attacking player who has only just turned 23, which means one of Andoni Iraola's main tasks is to find a settled position for the German to release the talent he demonstrated before moving to Anfield. This is why Iraola will have been intrigued by what he saw from Wirtz in Germany's 7-1 win against Curacao in their opening World Cup game.
Spain will be without the services of iconic left-back Jordi Alba for the 2026 World Cup, following the legendary defender's decision to hang up his boots. As Spain embarks on their 2026 World Cup campaign in North America, they do so with a completely transformed look on the left side of their defense. For more than a decade, that flank was the exclusive territory of Jordi Alba, but he officially retired from professional soccer at the conclusion of the 2025 MLS season with Inter Miami. Alba closed out his illustrious career helping Inter Miami capture the MLS Cup on December 6, 2025, with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. Following that final match alongside longtime teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, the 36-year-old stepped away from the game. While his club retirement is fresh, Alba’s absence from the national team has actually been standard for some time. The overlapping defender had already closed his international chapter nearly three years prior to the 2026 tournament. The final time Alba wore the Spanish kit was on June 18, 2023, when he captained Spain to a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Croatia to secure the country’s first-ever UEFA Nations League title. Just over two months later, in August 2023, he officially announced his retirement from international duty to focus completely on his club career in the United States. Jordi Alba of Spain with the UEFA Nations League trophy. (Getty Images) For the 2026 World Cup roster, De la Fuente made the decision to call Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella and Bayer Leverkusen’s Álex Grimaldo to patrol the left side in North America. Jordi Alba’s legacy with the National Team Alba’s international journey began back in October 2011, making an instant splash during a Euro qualifier against Scotland by providing an assist in a 3-1 victory. From that night on, he became an immovable fixture in Spain’s starting lineups. Over his 93 senior caps, Alba proved to be one of the most lethal attacking defenders in international soccer history, registering nine goals and nine assists. While he narrowly missed out on being part of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he was an absolute pillar of the side that captured UEFA Euro 2012. His 2023 Nations League triumph served as the perfect bookend to an indelible international career, leaving huge shoes to fill as Spain already entered a new era.
Full preview of Czechia for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. After a 20-year absence, Czechia return to the global stage for the 2026 tournament in North America. Ranked 41st globally, the national team brings a disciplined, pragmatic approach to the competition. The squad relies heavily on structural solidity and set-piece efficiency rather than expansive attacking play. Led by an experienced coach and anchored by a core of European-based talent, Czechia present a difficult challenge for any opponent. This World Cup 2026 team preview explores how the European side plans to navigate the group stage. We will break down the Czechia 2026 World Cup squad, highlight the Czechia key players capable of making a difference, and provide a detailed look at their strategy on the field. Team profile CoachMiroslav KoubekCaptainTomáš SoučekNicknameNároďák (The National Team)FIFA ranking41stConfederationUEFAGroupGroup ABest World Cup resultRunners-up (1934, 1962 as Czechoslovakia)World Cup appearances9 (mostly as Czechoslovakia)Last appearance2006 How Czechia play The Czechia tactical analysis reveals a team built on defensive organization and physical dominance. Operating primarily in a disciplined 4-2-3-1 Czechia formation, the side prioritizes a compact low block over high possession numbers. They are comfortable absorbing pressure and frustrating technically superior opponents. When winning the ball, the team transitions quickly but relies heavily on dead-ball situations to generate scoring opportunities. During their qualification campaign, they led all European nations by scoring eight goals from set-pieces. The towering presence of players like Tomáš Souček and Patrik Schick makes them exceptional aerial threats. However, a lack of central creativity outside of Pavel Šulc can leave the attack looking one-dimensional. Opponents who defend set-pieces well may find it easy to stifle their forward momentum. Furthermore, a tendency to concede early goals remains a vulnerability that other international soccer teams 2026 will look to exploit. Ultimately, their rigid defensive structure and set-piece mastery make them a tough out, which could help them grind out crucial results during the tournament. Miroslav Koubek: The coach behind Czechia Appointed in late 2025, Miroslav Koubek brings decades of experience to the Czechia coach role. At 74 years old, he will become the oldest manager in tournament history when he leads the team in North America. Koubek stepped in after a turbulent qualifying period to restore belief and intensity within the squad. His coaching career spans over 40 years, largely in domestic soccer, including a recent successful stint with Viktoria Plzeň where he reached the later stages of European club competitions. Miroslav Koubek, Head Coach of Czechia (Lars Baron/Getty Images). His philosophy centers on pragmatism, defensive solidity, and maximizing the physical traits of his roster. Rather than overhauling the system, Koubek focused on instilling a resilient mentality. His ability to organize a fractured team quickly and navigate high-pressure situations will be the defining factor in how far this squad progresses this summer. Key player: Patrik Schick Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick is the focal point of the Czech attack. The forward recently became the first Czech player to score 100 goals across Europe’s top five leagues, cementing his status among elite goal scorers. Schick operates as the primary target man, utilizing his size and mobility to hold up play. His technical proficiency and lethal left foot make him dangerous inside the penalty area, while his aerial dominance perfectly complements the team’s set-piece strategy. He showcased his value by scoring a crucial penalty against Ireland during the qualification playoffs. Without Schick, the team lacks a reliable finisher and a central outlet for their direct style of play. His ability t
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