New Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp unveiled a sprawling first roster of 44 players across two squads for the upcoming Nations League matches, 16 of them uncapped, while framing the selection around a broader appeal to national pride.
“I’d like to reclaim the flag for me, or for us, to be totally honest,” said Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, who wore a cap in Germany’s black, red and gold colors bearing the slogan “One of 83 million,” a reference to the country’s population.
“I’d like it if, when you’re waving it, no one thinks there’s something wrong with you, but that they just feel you’re happy and you understand you’re lucky to be born in this wonderful country, to grow up here or to have moved here, that you live here. I’d like that a lot,” Klopp said. “I’ve had this thought in my head that I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people.”
Klopp described his goal as “positive patriotism,” arguing that Germans could benefit from a more optimistic view of both soccer and everyday life. “Just look now and then what good things we actually have,” he said.
His remarks come as Germany continues to reckon with a strong showing by the far-right Alternative for Germany party, which won an election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt this month.
An Extended Audition Ahead of 2028
By naming a double roster, Klopp has effectively turned Germany’s next four matches — against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia — into a wide-ranging tryout ahead of the 2028 European Championship. Established stars Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz will likely be limited to no more than two of the four games as Klopp works new players into the fold and manages workload.
The move continues an unconventional start for Klopp in international soccer; he had earlier said he would consider resigning if he felt criticism became overwhelming or media scrutiny too intrusive.
Forward Karim Adeyemi returns to the squad for the first time in 11 months after a strong start at his new club, Barcelona. Ajax’s Marc-André ter Stegen has stepped in as first-choice goalkeeper following Manuel Neuer’s international retirement.
Many of the newly called-up players have never appeared for Germany’s senior side. Elversberg midfielder Felix Keidel and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib have only limited top-division club experience. Other new faces include Celtic’s Mika Baur, Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt and Cologne’s Said El Mala.
Under Nations League rules, teams must submit a 23-player list before midnight ahead of each match but may rotate players between games.
Notably absent is striker Deniz Undav, who led Germany with three goals and two assists at the World Cup before a round-of-32 penalty loss to Paraguay ended coach Julian Nagelsmann’s tenure. Galatasaray winger Leroy Sane, with 80 caps for Germany, was also left off the roster.
Germany opens against the Netherlands on Sept. 24, followed by Greece three days later, Serbia on Oct. 1 and a rematch with Greece on Oct. 4.
