Jurgen Klopp has taken his first steps as Germany's new head coach by announcing two distinct squads for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. In preparation for the quartet of games against the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece (twice), the German manager revealed a total of 44 players, split into two separate groups. Among those called up are 16 newcomers who have yet to earn an international cap for the senior side. The list includes Cologne prospect Said El Mala, Freiburg talents Max Rosenfelder, Philipp Treu and Derry Scherhant, as well as Celtic midfielder Mika Baur, all of whom could make their debut under Klopp's stewardship.
Klopp also made a few noteworthy omissions. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was left out, a decision the coach justified on fitness grounds.
In addition, long‑time captain Joshua Kimmich will now be deployed in midfield, a shift from the right‑back role he frequently occupied under former boss Julian Nagelsmann. The German Football Association also confirmed that Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, currently on loan at Ajax from Barcelona, will serve as the first‑choice goalkeeper for the upcoming matches. Other returning faces include forward Karim Adeyemi, Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach and Brentford attacker Kevin Schade. The first of Klopp's squads will travel to Amsterdam for the September 24 clash with the Netherlands and then to Augsburg for the September 27 encounter with Greece.
The second group will contest the October 1 game in Munich against Serbia before heading to Thessaloniki for the October 4 fixture against Greece. Beyond the tactical and personnel decisions, Klopp used his introductory press conference to send a political message. He appeared wearing a baseball cap emblazoned with the phrase "one of 83 million" in the colors of the German flag. The statement was aimed at a nation currently experiencing a turbulent political climate, especially after the far‑right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) secured a decisive victory in the recent Saxony‑Anhalt state election.
When asked about the cap, Klopp explained that he wanted to revive a sense of joy and unity around the national symbol. He said, "We need to rediscover the fun in all of this. I hope I won't have to talk about political matters in the future. But I want to reclaim the flag for us, so that people feel happy and fortunate to live in this wonderful country.
I don't want to leave national pride to the wrong people. It fills me with pride to do this job. When we spend time focused on football, it's meant to foster a sense of community and make us feel better.
We have to create that atmosphere. But we also need people who embrace it." Klopp's cap was widely interpreted as a direct response to the AfD's surge in Saxony‑Anhalt, where the party captured over 43 percent of the vote and secured a governing majority. While the AfD's strength is most visible in the former East Germany, its anti‑immigration, nationalist rhetoric resonates in other regions as well, particularly in areas suffering from industrial decline. The party's rise has been a source of anxiety for many Germans, fueling debates about identity, inclusion and the future direction of the country.
The broader question that emerges from Klopp's gesture is: what constitutes acceptable patriotism in contemporary Germany? The legacy of the Nazi era casts a long shadow over any display of national symbols, making the balance between pride and historical responsibility especially delicate.
As Germany becomes more multicultural, the flag and other emblems can be interpreted in divergent ways—some see them as unifying symbols, while others fear they could be co‑opted by extremist movements. This tension reflects a deeper division within German society.
The nation is a federal republic composed of states with distinct regional cultures and political leanings. These internal differences amplify the debate over how to express national identity in a way that respects both the country's past and its evolving present. Klopp's decision to wear the cap, therefore, is more than a fashion statement; it is an attempt to steer the conversation toward a more inclusive, football‑centric form of unity. By linking the flag to the joy of sport rather than partisan politics, he hopes to reclaim the symbol for everyday Germans who simply want to cheer for their team.
In summary, Klopp's inaugural squad selections demonstrate his willingness to blend fresh talent with experienced players, while his cap signals a desire to promote cohesion amid a politically charged atmosphere. Whether his approach will succeed in both the sporting arena and the broader cultural dialogue remains to be seen, but his actions have already sparked a nationwide discussion about the meaning of national pride in modern Germany. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company