Jurgen Klopp has taken his first steps as the new head coach of the German national team by announcing two distinct squads for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. In preparation for four games against the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece (twice), the German federation received a call‑up list that totals 44 players, divided into two separate groups. This approach reflects Klopp's desire to experiment with personnel and to give a broader pool of talent a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.
The first batch of names features 16 individuals who have never before earned a senior cap for Germany. Among these newcomers are Cologne's promising forward Said El Mala, young defenders Max Rosenfelder and Philipp Treu, and Derry Scherhant from Freiburg. In midfield, the Celtic‑based German Mika Baur also makes his debut call‑up, underscoring Klopp’s willingness to look beyond the Bundesliga for fresh options.
The inclusion of so many uncapped players signals a clear break from the previous regime and a commitment to rebuilding the squad with a mix of experience and youthful vigor. Klopp also made a number of noteworthy omissions.
Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was left out, a decision the coach explained was driven by fitness concerns rather than form. Meanwhile, long‑time captain Joshua Kimmich will be deployed in a central midfield role, a shift from the right‑back position he frequently occupied under former coach Julian Nagelsmann. This tactical adjustment suggests Klopp envisions Kimmich as a deeper‑lying playmaker who can dictate tempo and provide defensive stability. The newly appointed goalkeeper for the first matches, Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, is currently on loan at Ajax from Barcelona.
He has been confirmed as Germany's first‑choice keeper, bringing his wealth of experience from top‑flight club football to the national side. In addition, the squad sees the return of several players who were previously on the periphery: striker Karim Adeyemi, Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach, and Brentford forward Kevin Schade have all been recalled, adding depth and versatility to the attacking options.
Logistically, the two groups will be used in a specific sequence. The first squad will travel to Amsterdam for the match against the Netherlands on Thursday, September 24, and then head to Augsburg for the home game versus Greece on September 27. The second group will take charge of the encounter with Serbia in Munich on October 1, before finishing the campaign with the away fixture against Greece in Thessaloniki on October 4.
By rotating the squads, Klopp hopes to keep players fresh and to assess a wide range of combinations under competitive conditions. Beyond the tactical and personnel matters, 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 cap was a clear reference to the nation’s population and, more pointedly, to the current climate of political fragmentation in Germany. The far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party recently secured a decisive victory in the state election in Saxony‑Anhalt, winning over 43 percent of the vote and obtaining a majority in the regional parliament. This result has heightened concerns about the rise of nationalist sentiment in parts of the country.
When asked about the significance of his headwear, Klopp replied that he wanted to "rediscover the fun" in representing Germany and to reclaim the flag for ordinary citizens rather than for extremist groups. He expressed a hope that he would not have to address political topics again, but emphasized that national pride should belong to people who celebrate the country’s achievements and values.
According to Klopp, football can act as a unifying force, fostering a sense of community and shared identity that transcends partisan divides. Klopp’s cap has been interpreted as a direct response to the Saxony‑Anhalt election outcome, where the AfD’s surge reflected a broader trend of growing support for the party across eastern Germany. However, the AfD’s influence is not confined to the former East. Its anti‑immigration, nationalist rhetoric resonates in regions experiencing industrial decline and economic uncertainty throughout the country.
Over the past several years, the party has consistently polled well at both state and federal levels, contributing to a climate of anxiety among many Germans who fear the erosion of democratic norms. The broader debate that Klopp’s gesture touches upon concerns the nature of patriotism in contemporary Germany.
The legacy of the Nazi era makes any display of national symbols a delicate matter, and the country continues to grapple with how to express pride without invoking the darker chapters of its history. As Germany becomes more multicultural, symbols such as the flag can be interpreted in a multitude of ways—some see them as a celebration of shared heritage, while others worry they may be co‑opted by extremist movements. This tension is a symptom of a nation that is still negotiating its identity. Germany is a federal state composed of distinct Länder, each with its own regional culture and political leanings.
The divergent perspectives on what the flag represents, what patriotism should look like, and how to respond to rising far‑right sentiment illustrate the complexity of forging a cohesive national narrative. In summary, Klopp’s first actions as Germany’s coach have been twofold: on the pitch, he has assembled a broad, experimental roster that mixes seasoned internationals with a wave of fresh talent; off the pitch, he has used a simple piece of headgear to signal a desire for unity and to challenge the appropriation of national symbols by extremist forces. Whether his approach will translate into success in the Nations League remains to be seen, but his willingness to address both footballing and societal issues marks a distinctive start to his tenure.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company