FSV Mainz 05 Team News - Soccer

Sheraldo Becker - Exits with foot discomfort Becker (foot) finished Saturday's 2-1 friendly win over Bournemouth carrying discomfort, according to the club.

Impact Becker had scored in the 14th minute before the injury scare, and was the only starter withdrawn at halftime, replaced by Ransford Konigsdorffer, after appearing to take a kick to his left foot in the 38th minute that initially left him down on the pitch. He continued playing through the rest of the half, including a sprint action, but was noticeably not moving cleanly. No further details on the severity of the issue have been disclosed at this stage. Becker is expected to be reassessed as the club continues to monitor his status.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Signs permanent deal with Mainz Posch signed a permanent contract with Mainz after previously joining on loan from Como, the club announced.

Impact Posch was deployed as a central defender during his loan spell last season, though he's also capable of playing on the flank. Sporting director Niko Bungert praised his rapid integration and versatility, noting he had come to Mainz last winter hoping to boost his case for Austria's World Cup squad and immediately made an impact. Posch is expected to continue serving as a key defensive piece for Mainz as he begins the new deal.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Returns to training with Mainz Widmer reported back to training with Mainz on Tuesday.

Impact Widmer started in one of his five 2026 World Cup appearances with Switzerland. The defender should be ready to start for Mainz in the Bundesliga opener against Paderborn on Aug. 29.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Nebel - Sidelined with adductor injury Nebel suffered an adductor injury during the final training session of the club's camp in Hopfgarten, Austria last Tuesday, the club announced.

Impact Nebel will be unavailable for the coming weeks after imaging tests confirmed the injury upon the team's return to Mainz, with no precise recovery timeline established given his absence depends on his individual healing process. Jaesung Lee is expected to step into a midfield role in his absence, and Nebel is expected to be reassessed as his recovery progresses.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Nebel - Facing groin issue Nebel left Tuesday's training session early after grabbing his groin following a shot on goal, according to Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Nebel was initially treated in the medical tent near the training pitch before boarding the team bus without any apparent discomfort. It remains unclear whether the issue is a simple adductor strain or something more serious. He is expected to miss Saturday's friendly against Paris FC as a result. Nebel is expected to undergo further evaluation as his status becomes clearer.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Targeting return for season opener Hollerbach is targeting a return in time for Mainz's first competitive match of the new season against Paderborn on Aug. 29, he said to the media, according to the Allgemeine Zeitu...

Impact Hollerbach has already completed parts of team training during the club's camp in Austria following the Achilles tendon tear he suffered in late January, and while he is not yet fully integrated into every training component, he said he is pushing toward full training and full load, adding that what remains missing is match sharpness. The coming weeks should determine whether he can hit his target of being available for the season opener.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Nadiem Amiri - Confirms Mainz stay Amiri announced Saturday evening at a fan event during the club's training camp that he will remain at Mainz for the 2026-27 season, the club announced. "I decided today with my fa...

Impact Amiri confirmed a departure had genuinely been on the table despite his contract running through 2028, though his public announcement now brings clarity and rules out an exit for the German international this summer. He scored 12 goals and added two assists across 26 appearances last season, handling set-piece and penalty duties for the club, and remains an important figure within Mainz's squad. Amiri is expected to continue as a key contributor as the club prepares for the new season.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Forced off early with knee injury Martel was forced off in the sixth minute of Mainz's friendly against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai after injuring his knee in a lunging challenge inside the box, according to the club.

Impact Martel blocked the shot but got his right leg caught in the turf during the challenge, and though he was treated behind the goal and attempted some test running afterward, the early nature of the injury is a concerning start to his time at Mainz following his summer move from Koln. He was a regular starter for Koln last season, contributing two goals and two assists across 31 appearances, and further clarity on the severity of this new issue will be needed as he begins his integration with his new club.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - First ball work in training camp Hollerbach (Achilles) took part in the team's warmup during the first session of Mainz's training camp in Austria and completed his first exercises with the ball, the club posted.

Impact Hollerbach is progressing well as he continues his buildup toward a return to competition following the Achilles tendon tear he suffered in late January. It remains unclear how much he will participate in training over the coming days, but recent photos suggest he is on the right track and gradually closing in on a return to match action.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Ransford Konigsdorffer - Starts in friendly clash Konigsdorffer (face) is in the starting squad for Saturday's friendly against Holstein Kiel, confirming he is fully fit to play, the club posted.

Impact Konigsdorffer's return to the starting lineup is an encouraging sign after being forced off in an earlier preseason friendly against Kaiserslautern following a facial injury sustained in an aerial duel. His involvement suggests the issue was not serious, positioning him to continue making a strong impression in preseason as he competes with Phillip Tietz for playing time in the attack heading into 2026/27.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Begins to run Hollerbach (Achilles) has started to train individually, according to Florian Schlecht and Pascal Affelder of Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Hollerbach is seeing some huge news this week, as the forward saw the field for the first time since his Achilles tendon tear at the end of January. He would only be able to run and was not training with a ball yet, although this is still good news. He will now have a little longer than a month to recover ahead of the season, likely to be a close call to be fit by the end of August.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Set for light work in training camp Hollerbach (achilles) will join Mainz's training camp beginning July 27 in Tyrol where he is set to complete light training sessions, according to the Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Hollerbach has been unavailable for match action since suffering a torn Achilles in late January, and his inclusion in the training camp is more about team bonding at this stage than any imminent return to full training. His participation in light sessions marks a step forward in his rehabilitation, though his path back to competitive action remains gradual as Mainz builds toward the new season.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Ransford Konigsdorffer - Forced off after facial injury Konigsdorffer was forced off after being struck in the face by the goalkeeper's arm during an aerial duel in Saturday's preseason friendly against Kaiserslautern, according to the...

Impact Konigsdorffer was initially treated on the field before the decision was made not to allow him to continue, though he was able to watch the rest of the match from the stands, an early positive sign. The forward joined Mainz this offseason after a solid debut Bundesliga season with Hamburger, contributing five goals in 33 appearances, and will be looking to make a strong preseason impression as he competes with Phillip Tietz for playing time at forward.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Schwolow - Signs with Mainz Schwolow has signed with Mainz from Scottish runners up Heart of Midlothian, according to the club, with an agreement in place allowing him to first complete Hearts' two remaining...

Impact Schwolow brings over 200 Bundesliga appearances to Mainz along with experience in the 2. Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Scottish Premiership, and just completed a strong season with Hearts that saw the club fall narrowly short of the Scottish title. The 34 year old goalkeeper, born near Mainz, gives the club a proven and experienced option between the posts as it prepares for the new Bundesliga 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Not an option for friendly Hollerbach (achilles) is not an option for Friday's friendly against Kaiserlautern, according to the club.

Impact Hollerbach underwent surgery for the torn Achilles that ended his previous season and has been working through his rehabilitation since, with a return targeted for the start of the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. His continued absence from preseason action suggests his recovery timeline is still ongoing, and his path back to full training will be worth monitoring closely as Mainz builds toward the season opener.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Starts once at World Cup Widmer generated one tackle (one won) and three clearances in Saturday's 3-1 defeat versus Argentina.

Impact Widmer would appear from the bench Saturday, notching a decent 34-minute shift as he recorded one tackle won and three clearances. The defender would only start in one of his five appearances at the World Cup, recording two interceptions, four tackles and nine clearances. He now heads back to Mainz, where he will likely have a starting role waiting on the right flank.

JULY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Richter - Back with Mainz after loan Richter is back with Mainz after spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Darmstadt.

Impact Richter enjoyed a successful loan spell at Darmstadt last season, finishing with two goals and 10 assists across 30 2. Bundesliga appearances. He probably did enough on loan to fight for a roster spot with Mainz ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Hong Hyeon-seok - Back after Gent loan Hong is back with Mainz after spending the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Gent.

Impact Hong spent time on loan at Nantes and Gent in the 2025/26 season, and it remains to be seen whether he'll secure a steady role in Mainz's first team for the 2026/27 campaign. Over those two loan spells, Hong made 25 appearances across all competitions but notched just one goal and one assist -- both for Gent.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Could start against Algeria Widmer is fully fit and could start Switzerland's Round of 32 against Algeria after missing just one training session due to a hip issue, according to Radio Tele Suisse.

Impact Widmer's quick return to full training puts him in direct contention for the starting right-back role against Algeria, competing with Dennis Zakaria for the position if Luca Jaquez (undisclosed) is ruled out. The Mainz right-back enjoyed a solid 2025/26 Bundesliga season, making 27 appearances across 1,819 minutes and contributing two goals and one assist for his club, and brings valuable experience and an attacking threat from full-back that Switzerland will hope to utilize in what is a decisive fixture. His ability to combine defensive reliability with forward runs and crossing output makes him a key option for coach Murat Yakin as the Swiss look to qualify for the round of 16.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Back in training after hip concern Widmer (hip) returned to team training on Tuesday after missing Monday's session, according to bluewin.

Impact Widmer bounced back quickly from the hip issue, rejoining the team session on Tuesday and putting himself in direct competition with Dennis Zakaria for the right back berth against Algeria, with Luca Jaquez's availability for the clash remaining uncertain.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Nadiem Amiri - Scores in penalty shootout Amiri recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Monday's 1-1 (5-4) penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay.

Impact Amiri entered the field for the final 10 minutes of extra time Monday, featuring for only the second time all tournament. He would see an important moment in the penalty shootout, as he stepped up as their fifth penalty shooter to keep them alive, and successfully did so before their eventual loss. The midfielder only played 40 minutes all tournament, notching one assist on a chance created to go along with two shots and two crosses.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Kaishu Sano - Scores in loss to Brazil Sano scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Monday's 2-1 defeat to Brazil. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 12th minute.

Impact Sano broke the deadlock for Japan midway through the first half with a shot from outside the box that sneaked past Alisson's reach. However, the defensive midfielder looked overmatched by the creativity of the Brazilian playmakers in the second half. Sano, primarily a holding midfielder, finished the World Cup with one goal, one assist, four interceptions, three tackles and two clearances in three starts.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Suffering from hip injury Widmer was not in training Sunday due to a hip injury ahead of Thursday's match against Algeria, according to Lucas Werder of Blick Sports.

Impact Widmer is bringing some concerns to the Swiss team ahead of their round of 32 game, as he was unable to train due to a hip injury. This will be something to watch for the team, as he did start in one game and has appeared in their last two, a useful option at right-back. That said, if he were to miss time, expect Luca Jaquez or Denis Zakaria to start on the right.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Limited impact defensively Posch recorded one cross (zero accurate) and three clearances in Saturday's 3-3 draw versus Algeria.

Impact Posch didn't have much impact in a game where Austria conceded three goals, as he offered little going forward and posted average numbers defensively. Posch could remain at right-back to face Spain in the Round of 32 on Thursday, but he's not likely to carry a ton of fantasy upside in a game where Austria are expected to be massive underdogs.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Phillipp Mwene - Sends three crosses in draw Mwene recorded one shot (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Algeria.

Impact Mwene started on the left side of the Austrian defense and was a constant attacking threat, completing three crosses, but he also struggled defensively against Riyad Mahrez, who scored two goals. Mwene has started in two of Austria's three matches so far, but with Spain coming up next in the Round of 32, he could return to the bench in favor of Konrad Laimer, who would move from AMR to LB while adding another defensive-minded presence in midfield.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

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