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, split into two groups that will be deployed on different matchdays. The rosters feature a sizeable contingent of newcomers: sixteen individuals have never before worn the senior Germany jersey.
Among them are Cologne's promising striker Said El Mala, young talents Max Rosenfelder and Philipp Treu, as well as Derry Scherhant from Freiburg. The midfield also welcomes Celtic's up‑and‑coming Mika Baur, who is expected to add a fresh dynamic to the side.
Klopp’s selections also contain a few surprising omissions. Stuttgart’s forward Deniz Undav was left out, a decision Klopp justified by citing fitness concerns.
Moreover, the veteran captain Joshua Kimmich, who spent much of his international career under former coach Julian Nagelsmann as a right‑back, will now be deployed in his preferred midfield role, giving the team a more creative engine in the centre of the park. The new goalkeeper hierarchy has also been clarified.
Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, currently on loan at Ajax from Barcelona, has been confirmed as the first‑choice keeper for the upcoming matches. In addition, the squad sees the return of several players who had been absent from recent selections, such as forward Karim Adeyemi, Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach, and Brentford striker Kevin Schade. The first of the two groups will take on the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, September 24, followed by a match against Greece in Augsburg on September 27.
The second set of players will travel to Munich for the encounter with Serbia on October 1 and then head to Thessaloniki for the final game against Greece on October 4. Beyond the tactical and personnel matters, Klopp used his introductory press conference to deliver a political message that quickly captured headlines. He appeared wearing a baseball cap emblazoned with the phrase “one of 83 million” in the colors of the German flag.
The slogan references the nation’s population and was intended as a call for unity during a period of heightened political tension. Germany is currently navigating a fractious political climate, highlighted by the recent state election in Saxony‑Anhalt where the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a decisive victory, securing more than 43 percent of the vote and gaining a governing majority.
The result has intensified concerns about the rise of nationalist sentiment and the potential co‑option of national symbols for extremist purposes. When asked about the cap’s significance, Klopp answered: “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 focus on football, it should 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 statement underscores his desire to separate the sport from divisive politics while simultaneously using his platform to promote an inclusive form of patriotism. By wearing the cap, he signaled solidarity with the majority of Germans who feel uncomfortable seeing the flag associated with extremist rhetoric.
The gesture was widely interpreted as a direct response to the AfD’s electoral success and a reminder that national symbols belong to all citizens, not just a fringe. The AfD’s surge is not confined to the former East Germany.
Although the party’s strongest support remains in regions experiencing industrial decline and demographic change, its anti‑immigration and nationalist messaging resonates in other parts of the country as well. Polls have shown the AfD maintaining double‑digit percentages at both state and federal levels for several years, fueling anxiety among many who fear a deepening cultural divide. Beyond the immediate political flashpoint, Klopp’s cap raises broader questions about the nature of patriotism in contemporary Germany. The legacy of the Nazi era makes any public display of the flag or expressions of national pride a delicate matter.
As the nation grapples with issues such as multiculturalism, integration, and regional identity, symbols that once carried a singular meaning are now subject to multiple, sometimes conflicting, interpretations. Germany’s federal structure adds another layer of complexity.
Each of the sixteen Länder possesses its own historical and cultural identity, which can influence how citizens perceive national symbols. The tension between regional loyalties and a unified national narrative is a longstanding feature of German politics, and the current climate has amplified those debates. In this context, football can serve as a unifying force. The sport’s mass appeal offers a platform where diverse groups can rally around a common cause, temporarily setting aside political disagreements.
Klopp’s emphasis on “rediscovering the fun” reflects an understanding that the game should be a space for collective enjoyment, not a battleground for ideological conflict. Nevertheless, the intersection of sport and politics is inevitable. High‑profile figures like national team coaches wield significant influence, and their statements can shape public discourse.
By deliberately choosing a cap that references the entire population, Klopp attempts to reclaim the narrative surrounding the German flag, positioning it as a symbol of shared pride rather than a tool for extremist agendas. The upcoming Nations League matches will provide Klopp with an early opportunity to test his tactical ideas and integrate the new players into a cohesive unit.
At the same time, his off‑field message will be closely watched by both supporters and critics, who will assess whether his approach to patriotism resonates with a country seeking unity amid political fragmentation. Ultimately, Klopp’s “one of 83 million” cap is more than a fashion statement; it is a calculated gesture aimed at fostering inclusivity, reminding Germans that their national symbols belong to everyone, and encouraging a sense of collective belonging that transcends partisan divides. The success of this message will depend on how well the team performs on the pitch and whether the broader public embraces this nuanced form of national pride. This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
© 2026 The Athletic Media Company