Jurgen Klopp has named a combined squad of 44 players for his first four matches as Germany head coach, covering the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia in September and October 2026. The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager takes charge following Julian Nagelsmann's departure after Germany's early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Two Squads, Four Fixtures

Klopp has opted for an unusual two-squad approach to manage an extended international break that packs in four fixtures. A first group of 24 players will handle the opening two games — an away trip to Amsterdam against the Netherlands on 24 September and a home match against Greece in Augsburg on 27 September. The majority of that group will then return to their clubs before a fresh batch of 20 players joins for the games against Serbia in Munich on 1 October and the return leg against Greece in Thessaloniki on 4 October.

Klopp explained the rationale as a desire to assess as many players as possible while also prioritising player welfare across a congested schedule — a delicate balance that has long been a point of tension between clubs and national associations.

Key Returnees and Fresh Faces

Several players who missed the World Cup 2026 return to the senior setup for the second phase. Noah Atubolu, Jonathan Burkardt, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Ridle Baku, Brajan Gruda, Said El Mala, Tom Bischof, and FC Barcelona's Karim Adeyemi are all recalled. The second squad also sees the return of established midfield anchor Florian Wirtz and Aleksandar Pavlovic.

Among the entirely new faces, Finn Jeltsch — a winner of both the U17 World Cup and the U17 European Championship — earns his first senior call-up alongside Felix Keidel, Vitaly Janelt (U21 European champion), and U21 internationals Mika Baur and Derry Scherhant. Notably, the goalkeeping department has been substantially overhauled following Manuel Neuer's second retirement from international football, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Alexander Nubel, and Finn Dahmen named for the opening fixtures.

A Retro Kit for a New Era

Germany will mark Klopp's debut with a symbolic gesture: the team will wear a 1990 retro away kit — green adidas jerseys — for the 24 September fixture against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. These are the same kits worn when West Germany won the 1990 World Cup in Italy, including in the semifinal penalty shootout victory against England. The choice signals a deliberate attempt to invoke past glory at the start of what is expected to be a rebuilding cycle.

Full Squad Lists

Germany vs. Netherlands and Greece (Squad 1 — 24 players)

Goalkeepers: Finn Dahmen, Alexander Nubel, Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Defenders: Hennes Behrens, Yann Aurel Bisseck, Nathaniel Brown, Max Rosenfelder, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Philipp Treu, Josha Vagnoman

Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri, Bambase Conte, Yannik Engelhardt, Christ Führich, Serge Gnabry, Lennart Karl, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Felix Nmecha, Kevin Schade, Anton Stach

Strikers: Younes Ebnoutalib, Kai Havertz

Germany vs. Serbia and Greece (Squad 2 — 20 players)

Goalkeepers: Noah Atubolu, Finn Dahmen, Jonas Urbig

Defenders: Waldemar Anton, Ridle Baku, Finn Jeltsch, Maximilian Mittelstadt, David Raum, Malick Thiaw

Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi, Mika Baur, Tom Bischof, Said El Mala, Brajan Gruda, Vitaly Janelt, Felix Keidel, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Derry Scherhant, Florian Wirtz

Strikers: Jonathan Burkardt, Nick Woltemade

All eyes will be on how Klopp shapes Germany's identity over these opening four matches — and whether the blend of experience and emerging talent can signal an early direction for the nation's post-World Cup reset.