VfL Wolfsburg reacted with annoyance to the failure to send FC Bayern players to the DFB selection early on. “Every day of the short preparation phase is important so that a successful unit grows out of players who compete for titles during the season,” said the Lower Saxony on Wednesday.
“The fact that FC Bayern is now unilaterally terminating an agreement that has been reached by consensus and recorded in writing can damage the high ambitions of the DFB team at the World Cup.” The five nominated Bayern players, who are in the provisional 28-strong World Cup squad, will not join the training camp in Herzogenaurach on June 20, as originally agreed, but only on June 23 after a Bayern veto.
“Of course we are aware of the recommendation of the European club association ECA not to release players until June 23,” said VfL Wolfsburg. However, they are committed “to the solution of an earlier release that was worked out with the DFB in spring 2023”.
The first of two preparatory phases for the co-favourites for the World Cup tournament (July 20 to August 20) begins on June 20th. Test matches are still scheduled for June 24 in Offenbach against Vietnam and on July 7 in Fürth against Zambia. After that, the final squad will be nominated with 23 players.
