Klopp excludes Pascal Groß from DFB generation after World Cup letdown
In the 3-0 victory story of Brighton against Arsenal on television, Pascal Groß explained that after the 2026 World Cup he will no longer be available for the German national team – a statement that came as a surprise, because he had so far been missing from the current DFB squad despite good performances.
Trio participated in the 2026 World Cup
Nico Schlotterbeck, Pascal Groß and Waldemar Anton formed the trio that took part in the 2026 World Cup with the DFB team. The trio represented Germany in the year’s biggest tournament and gained valuable experience on the international stage.
After the tournament, Pascal Groß is missing from the current DFB squad despite his good performances. The midfielder explained his own absence and emphasized that he is no longer available for the national team.
The German Football Association has initiated a overhaul after the disappointing finish at the 2026 World Cup with the new national coach Jürgen Klopp. For the first international break, the coach has called up eleven newcomers, while Pascal Groß is not part of the squad.
“Officially I have not resigned from the national team, because I have no social media,” Groß said after the 3-0 win with Brighton against Arsenal. “I have already resigned. For me that was it after the World Cup.” He added: “It is time to wish the best to the new generation.”
After 19 international matches, in which the native of Mannheim scored a goal, his unusual national team career comes to an end. Groß made his debut in September 2023 at the age of 32 under Hansi Flick, was later called up by Julian Nagelsmann for the home Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. Before him, Manuel Neuer and Antonio Rüdiger had left the DFB team as a result of the World Cup elimination.
Club performance and league position
Groß is now focusing on the league routine in the Premier League. After the summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Brighton & Hove Albion, he has scored four goals and provided four assists in eight games. After the victory over champions Arsenal, the team sits in third place in the table.
His withdrawal from the national eleven marks the end of a short but eventful international career and underscores Klopp’s focus on nurturing young talent for the future of German football.