Germany coach Juergen Klopp has named an expanded pool of 44 players across two squads ahead of four upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, signaling a broader evaluation period as the team looks toward the 2028 European Championship. The squads were announced on September 17 in Frankfurt, with the matches scheduled against the Netherlands on September 24, Greece on September 27, Serbia on October 1, and a return fixture against Greece on October 4.

In a notable development, Germany’s top scorer from the recent World Cup campaign, Deniz Undav, was omitted from the call-ups. Undav had led the national team with three goals and two assists before Germany’s elimination in the round of 32, a result that precipitated the departure of former coach Julian Nagelsmann. Additionally, Galatasaray winger Leroy Sane, who has earned 80 caps for Germany, was also left out of the selections and is not expected to add to his international appearances.

Klopp’s approach involves rotating the squad heavily, with established players such as Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz expected to feature in only up to two games each. This strategy aims both to reduce the physical demands on the key performers and to provide opportunities for emerging talent, many of whom have limited or no prior experience with the senior national team. Among the newcomers are figures such as Felix Keidel, a midfielder from Elversberg, and Younes Ebnoutalib, a forward with Eintracht Frankfurt, both of whom have recently broken into top-flight club football.

Under Klopp’s stewardship, Germany has adopted a flexible squad management system during the Nations League. While a maximum of 23 players must be submitted ahead of each match, Klopp retains the ability to rotate the roster between games, allowing for greater experimentation and squad depth assessment.

Since taking over, Klopp’s tenure has been marked by unconventional moves and candid engagements with the media, including an early warning that he might resign if criticism becomes excessive or media scrutiny too intrusive. The current expanded squad selection continues this trend of bold management as Germany seeks to rebuild and refresh its roster ahead of the next major international tournament cycle.