Jürgen Klopp calls up 44 players for Germany's Nations League squad

On the training ground in Leipzig, Jürgen Klopp, 59, stood with a smile that also radiated determination, and announced the call‑up of 44 players for the upcoming Nations League matches of the German national team. The selection combines experienced professionals with a number of debutants and marks the start of his tenure after the abrupt departure of Julian Nagelsmann.

Two squads for an extended international window

Klopp explained that he does not want to set up a classic “A or B team”, but will form two groups of 22 players each, to assess as many talents as possible during the new four‑match interval. The tight schedule requires that the players be able to recover sufficiently after their club appearances before being ready for the national team again.

The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager emphasized that the double roster allows both the performance and the resilience of the players to be tested. At the same time, he wants to avoid individual players being overburdened by too many mandatory matches.

After Germany’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Julian Nagelsmann stepped down, and Klopp took over the position of head coach. His arrival comes at a time when the German national team must be restructured following the retirement of goalkeeper legend Manuel Neuer.

The goalkeeper department was completely overhauled by Neuer's second retirement; Marc‑André Ter Stegen was confirmed by Klopp as the first keeper for the duel against the Netherlands. Additionally, Finn Dahmen and Alexander Nübel are in the extended squad, ready to step in if needed.

German media predict three-way points race in Nations League group

The first match takes place on Thursday, September 24, at 20:45 at the Johan‑Cruijff‑Arena against the Netherlands, while further fixtures against Serbia and Greece will be played in the same Nations League Group A2. Four of the total six group games will be completed in this extended international window.

Klopp split the 44 names into two groups: The first group of 22 players will face the Netherlands and Greece and includes the stronger options, such as defenders Nathaniel Brown, Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah. In midfield are Serge Gnabry, Lennart Karl, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Felix Nmecha, while in attack Younes Ebnoutalib and Kai Havertz form the forward line.

The second group, which plays against Serbia and again against Greece, includes further talents such as David Raum, Karim Adeyemi, Tom Bischof, Saïd El Mala, Alexandar Pavlovic, Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade. Through this division, Klopp gives young players the chance to gain international experience while also testing the depth of the squad.

With this comprehensive selection, Klopp signals that he wants to reorient the national team and at the same time lay a broad foundation for the future. The combination of experience and youth could lay the groundwork for a long‑term success story.