Particle.news

DFB Names 24-Player Squad With Freigang Included Despite Whereabouts Case

The selection signals the federation's decision to rely on club form during a pending anti‑doping whereabouts procedure ahead of World Cup preparations.

Overview

  • The Deutscher Fußball-Bund announced the 24-player squad on Tuesday for friendlies against Australia on October 9 in Karlsruhe and Japan on October 13 in Bremen.
  • Laura Freigang was selected despite a NADA allegation that she missed three whereabouts checks within 12 months and a disciplinary file now held by the DFB.
  • Reports say Freigang has not tested positive and prior samples were negative, but missed whereabouts 'strikes' can still trigger a ban of up to two years if the DFB and adjudicators uphold the breaches.
  • Giulia Gwinn returns from a shoulder operation to captain the side while regular keeper Ann-Katrin Berger has agreed to pause her participation for these two matches.
  • The squad shows growing reliance on players at foreign clubs with 11 based abroad and a record six from England's WSL, and it includes 19-year-old Lisa Baum for her first senior call-up as the federation begins its World Cup build-up.