Jurgen Klopp has unveiled two distinct German national team rosters for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, marking his first official move as head coach. In preparation for the quartet of games against the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece (twice), Klopp selected a total of 44 players, dividing them into two separate squads. Among the names on the lists are 16 individuals who have yet to earn a senior cap for Germany.
These newcomers include Cologne's promising forward Said El Mala, Max Rosenfelder and Philipp Treu, both of whom are emerging talents from Freiburg, Derry Scherhant—another Freiburg prospect—and Celtic midfielder Mika Baur, who has been on the radar for some time. Klopp also made a few surprising omissions. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was left out, a decision Klopp explained was due to fitness concerns. Additionally, he announced that long‑time captain Joshua Kimmich will be deployed in midfield, a shift from the right‑back role he often occupied under former coach Julian Nagelsmann.
In a promotional segment, Sky Sports reminded viewers that its customers can claim a free twelve‑month subscription to The Athletic, enter draws for sporting tickets and enjoy other perks through the Sky Sports Rewards programme, subject to terms and conditions. The backdrop to Klopp’s appointment is the abrupt resignation of Julian Nagelsmann after Germany’s disappointing exit at the World Cup, where they fell to Paraguay in the round of 32. With the vacancy filled, Klopp now faces the task of rebuilding a side that can compete on the international stage.
Goalkeeping duties have been handed to Marc‑Andre ter Stegen, who is currently on loan at Ajax from Barcelona, and he has been confirmed as the first‑choice keeper. The squads also feature the return of forward Karim Adeyemi, Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach, and Brentford striker Kevin Schade, all of whom have been recalled to the national pool. The first of the two groups will take the field for the opening two matches: a clash with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday, September 24, followed three days later by a game against Greece in Augsburg on September 27.
The second contingent will be used for the encounter with Serbia in Munich on October 1 and the final fixture, an away match against Greece in Thessaloniki on October 4. Beyond the tactical and personnel decisions, Klopp used his inaugural press conference to send a political message.
He wore a baseball cap emblazoned with the words "one of 83 million" in the colours of the German flag. The statement resonated against a backdrop of a turbulent political climate in Germany, where the far‑right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) recently secured a decisive victory in the Saxony‑Anhalt state election. When asked about the cap’s significance, Klopp replied, "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." His remarks were widely interpreted as a direct response to the AfD’s strong showing in Saxony‑Anhalt, where the party captured over 43 percent of the vote, securing a majority and underscoring a broader trend of growing support for the far‑right across eastern Germany. While the AfD’s surge is most visible in the former East, its anti‑immigration and nationalist rhetoric also resonates in industrial regions of the west, where economic decline has fueled discontent.
The rise of the AfD has generated considerable anxiety among many Germans, who view the party’s platform as a source of division and anger. Yet the debate extends beyond a single party.
It raises fundamental questions about the nature of patriotism in contemporary Germany. What does the national flag symbolize for different segments of society? The legacy of National Socialism makes expressions of national pride especially delicate, and as Germany grapples with modern challenges such as multiculturalism, symbols of nationalism can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, sometimes being co‑opted for hostile purposes.
This ambiguity reflects a deeper fragmentation within the nation. Germany is a federal state composed of distinct Länder, each with its own regional identity and historical perspective. These varied viewpoints contribute to a complex tapestry of opinions about the country’s future direction and the appropriate form of civic pride.
Klopp’s cap, therefore, operates on several levels. It is a personal gesture of unity, a call to reclaim national symbols from extremist appropriation, and a reminder that sport can serve as a bridge across political divides.
By emphasizing enjoyment, community, and a shared love for the game, he hopes to steer the conversation away from polarising rhetoric and toward a collective sense of belonging. As the new coach, Klopp now faces the dual challenge of delivering results on the pitch while navigating a fraught political landscape. His squad selections, tactical adjustments, and public statements will be scrutinised not only for footballing merit but also for their broader cultural impact. Whether his approach can foster the cohesion he advocates remains to be seen, but his inaugural actions suggest a commitment to using football as a platform for positive societal dialogue.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic. © 2026 The Athletic Media Company