Ivan Jovanović names 26-man Greece squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures
Greece manager Ivan Jovanović has selected 26 players for the autumn Nations League campaign, introducing four squad changes ahead of away matches against Serbia and Germany.
Roster adjustments and injury updates
Greece manager Ivan Jovanović has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League A fixtures, making several changes due to injuries and fitness concerns. AEK right-back Lazaros Rota was ruled out at the last moment following an injury, leading to the call-up of Manolis Saliakas. Team captain Tasos Bakasetas also misses out on selection because he has not yet reached full match fitness for the intensive fixture run. In central defense, Pantelis Hatzidiakos is unavailable due to a muscle strain, with Giannis Michailidis called up in his place. Dimitris Giannoulis and Sotiris Kontouris have also been left out of the squad, with Giorgos Kyriakopoulos entering to cover the left side of defense.
Key returns to the national squad
The squad features four notable returns compared to previous call-ups. Forward Fotis Ioannidis is back with the national team after missing the June friendly matches against Sweden and Italy due to injury. The Sporting striker has recovered and adds depth to the attack alongside Vangelis Pavlidis, Anastasios Douvikas, Georgios Masouras, Christos Tzolis, Alexandros Kyziridis, Charalampos Kostoulas, and Andrews Tetteh. Attacking midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas returns after recovering from a knock that kept him out of the June camp, having recently featured as a substitute for Borussia Dortmund against VfB Stuttgart. Defender Giannis Michailidis makes his comeback after a knee issue with PAOK sidelined him in prior fixtures, while Manolis Saliakas returns to the national team setup after a two-year absence.
Autumn fixture schedule and preparation
The national team will convene on Monday, 21 September 2026, for initial training sessions at the Renti sports complex. On Wednesday, 23 September 2026, the team will depart at midday for Belgrade ahead of their opening match against Serbia on 24 September 2026 at 21:45. Greece will then travel to play Germany away on 27 September 2026 at 21:45. The squad returns home to Thessaloniki for two consecutive fixtures at Toumba Stadium, hosting the Netherlands on 1 October 2026 and Germany on 4 October 2026, with both matches kicking off at 21:45. The group campaign concludes in November with an away match against the Netherlands on 13 November 2026 and a home game against Serbia at Panthessaliko Stadium on 16 November 2026.
- Squad gathers for training at Renti facilities
- Team departs for Belgrade at midday
- Serbia vs Greece in Belgrade
- Germany vs Greece away fixture
- Greece vs Netherlands at Toumba Stadium
- Greece vs Germany at Toumba Stadium
- Netherlands vs Greece away fixture
- Greece vs Serbia at Panthessaliko Stadium
Tournament objectives and seeding stakes
Greece enters the Nations League campaign with the goal of avoiding a last-place finish in their League A group. Retaining their position in the top tier ensures placement in the first seeding pot for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying draw. Ivan Jovanović has assembled a squad of 26 players, including goalkeepers Odysseas Vlachodimos, Christos Mandas, and Konstantinos Tzolakis, to manage the physical workload of four games in eleven days. Midfield options include Christos Zafeiris, Nektarios Triantis, Dimitris Kourmpelis, Christos Mouzakitis, and Konstantinos Karetsas, alongside defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos, Panagiotis Retsos, Konstantinos Koulierakis, Georgios Vagiannidis, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Thanasis Androutsos, and Andreas Ntoi.
