Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp has explained the thinking behind his first squad selection since taking charge of the national team. (Scroll down to view full squad)
Klopp was appointed after Germany’s round-of-16 exit to Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For his first international assignment since moving from club football, Klopp has named a 44-man squad for Germany’s upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The players have been split into two teams as Germany prepare for four matches, including games against Greece and the Netherlands on Thursday, September 24, and Serbia on Thursday, October 1. The squad includes Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, who recently moved from Newcastle United to Juventus.
Addressing the press after announcing the squad, Klopp said,
“Putting the squad together was great fun. We took a different approach and focused not on what we don’t have, but on what we do have. There are a few lads in the squad who might surprise people, but we saw something in them and we want to play a part in their development.”
“The main reason is that playing four internationals in quick succession is unusual. That’s why, with the first group, we’ve largely based things around the World Cup squad so that we have a team who already know each other and are used to playing together.”
“The two groups have been put together so that there’s a good balance in terms of positions and personalities.”
