Klopp Names 44-Man Squad In First Germany Selection, Hands 16 Players Maiden Call-Up

Photo Credit: Hannes P. Albert / AFP — Germany’s National coach Juergen Klopp addresses a press conference to announce his squad on September 17, 2026 at the headquarters of DFB in Frankfurt.
Klopp Names 44-Man Squad In First Germany Selection, Hands 16 Players Maiden Call-Up
New Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp has unveiled a massive 44-man squad for his first training camp in charge, handing first-time invitations to 16 players.

The former Liverpool manager, who took over from Julian Nagelsmann in July following Germany’s last-32 exit at the 2026 World Cup, announced the squad on Thursday at the DFB headquarters in Frankfurt.

Although teams can only register 23 players per game — 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers — Klopp opted for an expanded list ahead of Germany’s four UEFA Nations League fixtures.

To manage the workload, the squad has been divided into two groups.

The first group will be available for the clash against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 and the home game against Greece in Augsburg three days later.

The second group will feature in the matches against Serbia in Munich on October 1 and away to Greece in Thessaloniki on October 4.

Speaking at the press conference, Klopp said:
“It’s very unusual that you’ve got four games in two weeks with the national team. I want to get to know as many players as possible in that time… It’s not an A-team and a B-team, but the two squads have been created in a way that each fits well together.”
Klopp said the selection is part of a long-term rebuild after what he described as a feeling that German football was “on its knees” after the World Cup.

“In the past four weeks, as we’ve been looking closely, plenty of talents have caught our eye. It’s a squad for two or three years from now, not just for the next four international games,” he added.

Among the notable omissions are Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka, Deniz Undav and goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, while Manuel Neuer and Antonio Rudiger have both retired from international duty.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who joined Ajax on loan from Barcelona this summer after two injury-hit seasons, will be Germany’s number one for now, Klopp confirmed.

Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, with 114 caps the most experienced player in the squad, retains the captaincy and is expected to return to his central midfield role.

Potential debutants include Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib, Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch, Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt and Celtic midfielder Mika Baur.

“There’s a couple of lads here who will surprise you, that’s clear, but we saw something in the lads, plenty of potential, and we want to be part of their development,” Klopp said.
Source: Punch Newspaper