Bundesliga Daily Report - 2026-09-28: Bundesliga joins major leagues in challenge to FIFA governance

The Bundesliga joined the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A in a joint statement against FIFA on 25 September 2026. The four leagues described football as having suffered “one of the biggest abuses of power in FIFA’s history” after a controversial World Cup investment plan collapsed under criticism. Their intervention represented an unusually direct challenge from four of the sport’s most powerful domestic competitions. The statement placed German football alongside England, Spain and Italy in demanding greater accountability over how FIFA operates and makes major decisions.

The collective action increased pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino after the failed investment proposal. The leagues usually compete for players, audiences and broadcast revenue, making their decision to speak together especially significant. For the Bundesliga, the dispute extends beyond a single commercial plan to concerns about the governing body’s authority and transparency. The statement does not resolve the disagreement, but it signals that Germany’s leading competition is prepared to support a wider European position when domestic leagues believe FIFA has exceeded its remit.

Augsburg left-back Hennes Behrens earned his first senior Germany cap under Jürgen Klopp during the September international period. The 21-year-old, born in Frankfurt on 19 January 2005, was listed by Bundesliga.com as having one appearance for Germany and no goals as of 28 September. Behrens can play at left-back or left midfield and has risen rapidly since making his senior debut with Hoffenheim’s reserves in 2024. His Bundesliga debut came three days after a brief Europa League appearance, in a 3-1 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen in February 2025.

Behrens’ international recognition followed what Bundesliga.com described as Augsburg’s record start to the 2026/27 campaign. His route has included youth football at Mainz, Darmstadt and Hoffenheim, followed by a loan move before establishing himself with Augsburg. The first cap gives Klopp another young defensive option while marking a sharp change in Behrens’ status. At 21, he has moved from limited senior experience to involvement with the national side, increasing the importance of his performances for Augsburg as the Bundesliga season continues.

Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Bambasé Conté won his first Germany cap during the Nations League meeting with Greece. The 23-year-old, who is also eligible to represent Guinea, was listed as having one Germany appearance and no goals on 28 September. Conté developed through Saarbrücken, Kaiserslautern and Hoffenheim’s academy before loan spells at Karlsruhe and Elversberg. His breakthrough came last season, when he scored four goals and supplied six assists as Elversberg secured its first Bundesliga promotion. He then returned to Hoffenheim and started three of the club’s first four league matches.

The cap rewarded a player whose career has accelerated since his productive campaign in the second tier. Conté’s ability to operate as an attacking midfielder or winger gives Hoffenheim a versatile option, while his international involvement places greater attention on his return to club football. Germany’s decision also ended the immediate uncertainty over his senior allegiance after he had remained eligible for Guinea. His next challenge is to convert the recognition into a sustained role at Hoffenheim after establishing himself as a regular starter early in the Bundesliga season.

Freiburg winger Derry Scherhant was on the brink of a senior Germany debut after attracting Jürgen Klopp’s attention. Bundesliga.com listed the 23-year-old as uncapped at senior level, with two Germany Under-21 appearances, on 28 September 2026. Scherhant came through football in Berlin with Viktoria Berlin, Tennis Borussia and Berliner SC before joining Hertha’s academy. He made his professional Bundesliga debut against Eintracht Frankfurt and later played all 34 league matches in the 2024/25 Bundesliga 2 season, scoring seven goals before Freiburg brought him back to the top flight in summer 2025.

Scherhant’s progression has been built on a route that began outside the traditional Bundesliga spotlight. His 78 competitive first-team appearances and 12 goals for Hertha preceded the move to Freiburg, where his direct style has strengthened his case for international recognition. A Germany debut would represent another step in a rapid rise from lower-league football in Berlin to European competition with Freiburg. For the club, his possible involvement with the national team would underline the value of his development while raising expectations around his contribution in the Bundesliga.

Arsenal and Tottenham were reportedly monitoring Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza, according to CaughtOffside on 28 September 2026. The 20-year-old had started all four of Leverkusen’s league matches this season, producing one goal and one assist, while also recording 16 shots, 53 tackles won and 282 intensive runs, according to official Bundesliga statistics cited by the report. Maza joined Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin after emerging as a regular during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.

The reported interest remained at the scouting stage rather than representing an advanced negotiation. Maza’s early-season involvement has nevertheless made him a more visible target for clubs assessing future midfield options. His workload figures and attacking output point to a player contributing in several phases, although a move would depend on whether Leverkusen were willing to consider an approach. For now, the immediate significance lies in Maza’s continued development as a starter in the Bundesliga rather than an imminent transfer.

SC Paderborn midfielder Santiago Castañeda had established himself as a Bundesliga starter at the age of 21, according to Yahoo Sports on 28 September 2026. The Tampa, Florida-born player moved to Germany in 2023 after turning down the chance to attend the University of Michigan, joining MSV Duisburg in the third tier instead. He immediately earned a starting role there despite being 18 and adapting to a new country and language. His progress eventually carried him to Paderborn, the Bundesliga newcomer, for his first season in Germany’s top division.

Castañeda’s rise is unusual because it bypassed the conventional American college route and began in Germany’s 3. Liga. The midfielder’s rapid adaptation at Duisburg provided the platform for his move into the Bundesliga, where regular football has arrived earlier than might have been expected. His nationality also leaves an international question, with the article framing his future as a choice between the United States and Colombia. Continued starts for Paderborn would give both federations a clearer view of a player whose development has taken place almost entirely in Germany.