World Cup qualification
As of: June 3, 2026 4:40 p.m
National coach Christian Wück has to do without some regular players in the important World Cup qualifying game against Norway due to injuries. To do this, he can rely on some returnees around Kathrin Hendrich.
When the sun is shining, the 34-year-old American legionnaire stands on the Rhine and looks in love at the other side of the bank, at Cologne Cathedral. “It’s hard to put into words. For me it feels like coming home,” says Hendrich. The upcoming international match against Norway in Cologne is undoubtedly something special for them. She grew up in the Rhineland and graduated from high school in Leverkusen.
For the first time ever, the women’s national team is playing an international match in the 1. FC Köln stadium. “I only have great memories of this stadium. We played here more often with VfL Wolfsburg in the DFB Cup final,” Hendrich looks back. Now she hopes for a lot of support at home. So far, the DFB has sold almost 30,000 tickets for the World Cup qualifier against Norway.
Hendrich doesn’t feel any uncertainty in the team
In the surprising setback, the 0-0 draw in Austria in April, Hendrich wasn’t even in the squad. She was missing due to a torn muscle in her calf. She doesn’t notice any uncertainty among her teammates: “I wouldn’t overestimate the game, it doesn’t change the quality of our team.” Hendrich even believes that the pressure will now be good for her team.
Of the field players, Hendrich is the oldest in the German squad at 34 years old. Their experience could be a crucial factor, especially against Norway. Especially since co-captain Janina Minge is not available due to a red card suspension. It can be assumed that Hendrich will be in the starting line-up in central defense.
Hendrich decided to continue with the DFB team 6 months ago
After losing the Nations League final against Spain last December, it was initially not clear whether she would continue her national team career. Just like goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, whose appearance against Norway is still questionable, she signaled to national coach Wück after some time to think about it that he can continue to rely on her.
Video:
Sophia Kleinherne – “You can get the pressure on your side” (1 min)
The prospect of a World Cup in Brazil played an important role. “A world championship is the greatest thing for an athlete,” says Hendrich. But it was the team that made the deciding factor in her decision to continue. “I just really enjoy working with the girls. They’re all great people who can play great football.”
Buy your World Cup ticket in the Rhineland
The starting position for the penultimate game of the World Cup qualification is clear: with a win, Germany will book their ticket to the World Cup in Brazil in 2027. If they lose against Norway, the Scandinavians would overtake the DFB team in the table. It would result in an exciting long-distance duel on the last match day.
The prospect of the World Cup in Brazil brings back many fond memories for Hendrich: “I was there with the national team in 2016 (editor’s note: at the Olympic victory) as a substitute player. It’s a great country where football is loved and lived.”
“Great alternative” to the men’s international match
The ex-Wolfsburg player Hendrich herself now lives in the USA, in a country where women’s football is very important. It is not yet clear whether she will extend her contract with the Chicago Red Stars, which expires at the end of the year. This also means: A return to the Bundesliga is not ruled out.
Hendrich finds it funny that the German men’s national soccer team has now traveled to Chicago of all places and will play against the USA there at the weekend: “I would have liked to have been there and seen it, but I have a great alternative with our international match here in Cologne.”
She hasn’t bought a ticket for the men’s World Cup (yet), especially since Chicago isn’t a venue for the tournament. But Hendrich’s ticket to the Women’s World Cup is much more important. She can book that in her beloved Rhineland with a win against Norway.
