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 – a clash with the Netherlands, a home encounter with Greece, a trip to Serbia and a final away match against Greece – he selected a total of 44 players, dividing them into two groups that will be deployed on specific dates and venues. The first roster, which will travel to Amsterdam for the September 24 showdown with the Dutch and then head to Augsburg for the September 27 meeting with Greece, contains a blend of seasoned internationals and fresh faces.
Among the newcomers are sixteen individuals who have never before worn the German shirt in an official match. Notable debuts include Cologne's promising striker Said El Mala, young midfielders Max Rosenfelder and Philipp Treu, as well as Derry Scherhant from Freiburg. Celtic’s midfielder Mika Baur also earned a call‑up, underscoring Klopp’s willingness to look beyond the Bundesliga for talent.
The second group will be used for the October 1 fixture against Serbia in Munich and the October 4 away game in Thessaloniki against Greece. This squad sees the return of several players who have been on loan or have recently moved abroad: Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, currently on loan at Ajax from Barcelona, is confirmed as the first‑choice goalkeeper, while striker Kevin Schade, now with Brentford, and Leeds United’s midfielder Anton Stach are also recalled. Additionally, the prolific forward Karim Adeyemi is back in the mix after a stint abroad. Klopp’s selections also feature some surprising omissions.
Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav was left out, a decision Klopp justified on fitness grounds, indicating that the striker has not yet reached the physical condition required for international duty. Moreover, long‑time captain Joshua Kimmich will now be deployed in his natural midfield role, a shift from the right‑back position he often occupied under former coach Julian Nagelsmann. This tactical adjustment reflects Klopp’s desire to maximize Kimmich’s playmaking abilities and to bring a more aggressive, possession‑based style to the German side. Beyond the tactical and personnel considerations, Klopp used his introductory press conference to make a clear political statement.
He appeared wearing a baseball cap emblazoned with the words "one of 83 million" in the colours of the German flag. The phrase references the roughly 83 million inhabitants of Germany and was intended as a call for unity during a period of heightened political tension. The country has been grappling with a surge in support for the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which recently achieved a decisive victory in the state election in Saxony‑Anhalt, securing more than 43 percent of the vote and a governing majority.
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 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." His remarks framed football as a vehicle for social cohesion, emphasizing that symbols such as the flag should be celebrated by all citizens rather than appropriated by extremist groups. The cap’s message resonated because the AfD’s success in Saxony‑Anhalt is part of a broader trend of growing right‑wing sentiment across eastern Germany and, increasingly, in other regions facing economic decline and demographic change.
While the party’s strong anti‑immigration and nationalist rhetoric originally found fertile ground in the former East, recent polls show it gaining traction nationwide, feeding anxieties about cultural identity, integration, and the legacy of Germany’s past. Klopp’s intervention touches on a deeper, longstanding debate about the nature of patriotism in Germany. The country’s history, marked by the trauma of National Socialism, makes public displays of national pride a delicate matter.
Yet, as Germany evolves into a more multicultural society, the symbols of nationhood—flags, anthems, caps—are being re‑examined. Some view them as inclusive expressions of shared values, while others fear they can be co‑opted by extremist factions to promote exclusionary agendas.
This tension reflects the broader fragmentation of German public life. Germany is a federal republic composed of sixteen states, each with its own regional identity and political leanings.
The divergent perspectives on what it means to be German—whether rooted in regional traditions, economic interests, or a more cosmopolitan outlook—contribute to an ongoing conversation about the country’s future direction. In summary, Klopp’s inaugural squad announcements demonstrate his tactical vision and willingness to integrate new talent, while his symbolic cap signals a desire to use football as a unifying force amid political polarization.
By positioning the national team as a platform for positive, inclusive patriotism, he hopes to counteract the divisive narratives gaining ground in parts of the electorate. Whether his approach will resonate with a populace increasingly split over identity and values remains to be seen, but the early signs suggest that the new coach is keen to let the sport speak louder than politics.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company