Jürgen Klopp names 44 players across two Germany squads for four Nations League fixtures

Two squads for four autumn fixtures

Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp has named an expanded 44-man selection divided into two separate squads for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. The national team will play four group matches over ten days starting on 24 September in Amsterdam against the Netherlands. Germany will then host Greece in Augsburg on 27 September before a second squad takes over for a home match against Serbia on 1 October and an away trip to Athens against Greece on 4 October. UEFA rules restrict matchday rosters to 23 players submitted before midnight prior to each fixture, though managers may alter selections between games. Klopp designed the split schedule to manage player workloads and assess potential candidates before the 2028 European Championship in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Sixteen uncapped players join the pool

The 44-player group includes 16 players who have never represented Germany at the senior international level. The uncapped cohort features Elversberg right-back Felix Keidel, who has played only three top-flight matches, and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib. Other potential debutants include Freiburg defenders Max Rosenfelder and Philipp Treu, Hoffenheim winger Bambasé Conté, Augsburg defender Hennes Behrens, and midfielders Mika Baur, Finn Jeltsch, Vitaly Janelt, Yannik Engelhardt, Saïd El Mala, Brajan Gruda, and Derry Scherhant. Klopp stated during the squad announcement in Frankfurt am Main that his coaching staff focused on evaluating the available talent pool rather than focusing on missing profiles.

We see something in these boys, we see great potential. A lot of talent has emerged among us. We did not look at what we are missing, but at what we have. I am satisfied with the choice.

Goalkeeping hierarchy and veteran returns

In goal, 34-year-old Marc-André ter Stegen will start as the number one for the opening fixtures after moving to Ajax Amsterdam. Ter Stegen, who holds 44 senior caps, missed the World Cup with a thigh injury but returns alongside 16 players from Germany's World Cup squad. The manager confirmed that Ter Stegen brings needed stability to anchor an otherwise youthful lineup, though long-term starting roles will depend on performance. For the matches against Serbia and Greece in October, Klopp plans to rotate goalkeepers, with 23-year-old Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig positioned to make his international debut. Uncapped goalkeepers Noah Atubolu and Finn Dahmen are also included in the wider group.

It is more important how we play than who plays.

High-profile exclusions from the roster

Klopp omitted several established internationals from the expanded selection, most notably VfB Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav. Undav finished as Germany's top scorer at the World Cup with three goals and two assists before a round-of-32 penalty shootout loss against Paraguay concluded Julian Nagelsmann's tenure. Galatasaray winger Leroy Sané, who holds 80 international caps, was also left out alongside 36-year-old Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Klopp explained that he chose Ter Stegen for veteran presence while reserving the remaining goalkeeper places for the next generation. Established outfield players such as Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Serge Gnabry, Karim Adeyemi, and captain Joshua Kimmich are scheduled to play a maximum of two matches across the ten-day period.