Road to the World Cup: RBL stars hope to follow Yan Diomande | OneFootball

International duty calls!

With his goals in the last international break, Yan Diomande played a key role in Ivory Coast's successful qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Our star forward was the first RBL player to help his nation guarantee a spot in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

In the final international break of 2025, plenty more Red Bulls will be hoping to achieve qualification with their respective nations. Among others, both of our Germany internationals, David Raum and Ridle Baku, are poised to claim their place in the final competition, as is Norway's Antonio Nusa.

Which Red Bulls are going where, and when? Find all the answers here.

Antonio Nusa (Norway)

In the history of their national football team, Norway have made it to three World Cup tournaments - most recently in France in 1998. After six games played in the current qualifying round, there's plenty of reason for fans of the Vikings to be optimistic about making it four in 2026.

With a perfect record of six wins in six and a staggering goal difference of 29 scored to 3 conceded, Norway sit top of Group I with 18 points. Antonio Nusa will be hoping to help Norway cruise to a spot in the tournament, with a home game against Estonia and a trip to Italy on the schedule next week.

Willi Orban (Hungary)

With a tally of five points so far, Hungary currently sit second in Group F behind table-toppers Portugal (ten points), a situation that will have Willi Orban and his teammates feeling the pressure as they prepare to do battle with Armenia and Ireland next week. The side cannot afford to drop too many points over the pair of fixtures. With a second-place finish, Hungary would earn a chance at World Cup qualification through a play-off round.

David Raum & Ridle Baku (Germany)

The Germany national team currently sit top of Group A on goal difference, with nine points from four games, putting them on a level tally with Slovakia. The sides will meet in our very own Red Bull Arena on 17th November, each with a view to getting the upper hand in the race for a spot at the World Cup. RBL's full-back duo David Raum and Ridle Baku will be particularly looking forward to the clash in their usual stomping ground. Before head coach Julian Nagelsmann's squad head to Leipzig, though, a trip to Luxembourg awaits.

Two wins and six points would be more than enough to guarantee qualification.

Christoph Baumgartner, Nicolas Seiwald & Xaver Schlager (Austria)

Another side hoping to make it to their first World Cup since 1998 is Ralf Rangnick's Austria. 

With 15 points so far, the team sit in first place in Group H, ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina (13) and Romania (10). Christoph Baumgartner, Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager have games against Cyprus and Bosnia to look forward to.  

Maarten Vandevoordt (Belgium)

Goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt and Belgium are currently top of Group J. The 'Red Devils' sit on 14 points, with North Macedonia close behind on 13. World Cup qualifcation seems a guarentee ahead of their two upcoming qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein. Belgium only need a win to secure their ticket for next year's tournament.

Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)

What a start it's been for Yan Diomande! Our attacking diamond started both his debut match and the game after for Ivory Coast just a few weeks ago, scoring in both. 

He netted in the 7-0 win over the Seychelles, before adding another during the 3-0 victory against Kenya. These performances helped his side secure qualification for next year's World Cup. The 18-year-old now has two friendlies to look forward to against Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Amadou Haidara (Mali)

Mali and Amadou Haidara are unfortunately unable to qualify for next year's World Cup. Doudou will turn out for his nation in a friendly game against Jordan.

Assan Ouedraogo (Germany U21)

In October, Assan Ouedraogo not only made his debut for the Germany U21s team in a Euro 2027 qualifier against Greece, but also scored his first goal in Germany's 2-1 victory against Northern Ireland. Now, his team sit second in Group F (6 points) and are set to face Malta and Georgia.

Ezechiel Banzuzi (Netherlands U21s)

With just two points from two games, Ezechiel Banzuzi and the Netherlands are sat in third place in EUROs qualifying Group G. Results are therefore absolutely essential against Slovenia and Israel.

Conrad Harder (Denmark U21s)

Denmark and Conrad Harder have had a mixed start to their EUROs qualifying campaign so far, having won one, drawn one and lost one. Their tally of four points currently puts them in second place behind Belgium and ahead of Austria. They have a chance to improve their record in Belarus.

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