Klopp Names 44 Players in Split Germany Squads for Nations League
Germany have named two separate squads for their opening UEFA Nations League block under new head coach Jürgen Klopp, with 44 call-ups spread across four fixtures against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia.
Why the split squads matter
Klopp will use the September and October internationals to assess a broad player pool while limiting the workload placed on individuals during a demanding club season. The first 24-man group will handle games against the Netherlands and Greece, before a largely changed 20-player selection takes over for the Serbia match and the second trip to Greece.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total selections | 44 players |
| First squad | 24 players |
| Second squad | 20 players |
| Only player in both groups | Finn Dahmen, Augsburg goalkeeper |
| Opening fixture | Netherlands v Germany, September 24 |
| Final fixture in the block | Greece v Germany, October 3 |
The arrangement gives Klopp, 59, an immediate opportunity to judge established internationals alongside players yet to make a senior appearance. Augsburg goalkeeper Dahmen is the sole player retained across both selections, underlining the scale of the rotation planned between the two match pairs.
New faces included in Klopp’s first selections
Several uncapped players have been brought into the national set-up. SV Elversberg’s Yannick Keidel is among the most notable inclusions, while Augsburg defender Hennes Behrens, Freiburg’s Max Rosenfelder and Hoffenheim prospect Bambase Conte have also been handed a chance to impress.
Germany’s opening group combines those newcomers with established options. Inter defender Yann Aurel Bisseck and Bayern Munich’s Nathaniel Brown are part of a back line that also includes Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck.
Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala provide experience in midfield, with Brentford winger Kevin Schade and Leeds United’s Anton Stach also selected for the first two games.
Second group brings different senior options
Klopp has made extensive changes for the October fixtures. Barcelona’s Karim Adeyemi and Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz are included in the second squad, as are RB Leipzig’s Brajan Gruda and Ridle Baku.
Juventus forward Nick Woltemade and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Jonathan Burkardt are the principal attacking options in that group. Stuttgart pair Maximilian Mittelstädt and Finn Jeltsch join Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw among the defensive selections.
Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic and Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt also feature as Klopp assesses his midfield depth.
Fixtures for Germany’s first Klopp window
- September 24: Netherlands v Germany
- September 27: Germany v Greece
- October 1: Germany v Serbia
- October 3: Greece v Germany
The away meeting with the Netherlands will be Klopp’s first match in charge of the Nationalmannschaft. The initial squad will remain together for the Greece fixture three days later, with the second group due to report before Serbia visit on October 1.
