Jürgen Klopp Names First Germany Squad with 44 Players

The Jürgen Klopp era in German football has officially begun, and the new Germany head coach has wasted no time making his mark.

Klopp announced a remarkable 44-player Germany squad on September 17 for his first four matches in charge. Rather than naming one conventional squad, the former Liverpool manager has divided the players into two groups, giving himself an opportunity to work with a much wider pool of talent during an unusually packed international window.

The first group will face the Netherlands in Amsterdam on September 24 before taking on Greece in Augsburg three days later. The second group will then face Serbia in Munich on October 1 before travelling to Thessaloniki to meet Greece on October 4.

Klopp Opens a New Chapter for Germany

Klopp's first Germany squad selection offers an early glimpse into how he wants to reshape the national team. Rather than focusing on the players Germany might be missing, Klopp said his approach was centred on the considerable talent already available.

The manager explained that he wanted to get to know as many players as possible while preparing Germany to compete at the highest level over the next two or three years. He also stressed that the two groups should not be viewed as an "A team" and a "B team", saying both were selected with the aim of winning their matches.

That philosophy has resulted in an unusually broad Klopp Germany team, mixing established international stars with players who are only beginning to attract attention at senior level.

Musiala, Wirtz and Kimmich Lead the New Era

Several familiar names remain at the heart of the Germany national team. Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Kai Havertz and Nico Schlotterbeck are among the players included across Klopp's selections.

Kimmich's role is particularly interesting. Klopp confirmed that he sees the Bayern Munich midfielder primarily as a central midfielder, rather than at right-back, where he was frequently used under previous coach Julian Nagelsmann. Klopp expects the experienced Kimmich to take a leadership role as Germany adapts to a new tactical approach.

Musiala and Schlotterbeck are among the players Klopp intends to keep around for the full international period, along with Gnabry. The coach said those players have had difficult periods and could benefit from having additional time with the national team.

Ter Stegen Gets Klopp's Vote

One of Klopp's clearest decisions concerns the goalkeeper position. Marc-André ter Stegen has been identified as the starter for Germany's opening match against the Netherlands.

Ter Stegen, who is now with Ajax, returns to a central role after injuries disrupted his previous international opportunities. Klopp highlighted his experience and quality, describing him as the experienced goalkeeper around whom he wants to build stability.

Behind him, Klopp has selected several goalkeepers from different generations, including Alexander Nübel, Finn Dahmen, Noah Atubolu and Jonas Urbig. Dahmen has been included in both groups as Klopp looks to assess him more closely.

Eleven New Faces Get Their Opportunity

Perhaps the biggest talking point surrounding the Klopp first Germany squad is the number of new players. A total of 11 players have received their first senior call-up, including Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch, Hoffenheim forward Bambasé Conté, Celtic's Mika Baur, Freiburg's Derry Scherhant and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Younes Ebnoutalib. Elversberg midfielder Felix Keidel is another surprise inclusion after making only three Bundesliga appearances.

Klopp said some of the selections might surprise supporters, but stressed that his coaching team had seen qualities they wanted to develop. For these players, the first international camp represents more than simply an opportunity to train alongside Germany's established stars. It is a chance to convince Klopp that they can become part of the country's next generation.

A Different Way to Build a Squad

The 44-player selection is also a practical response to the unusual international calendar. Klopp explained that four matches in such a short period are demanding, particularly for players who may still be involved with their clubs immediately before the first fixture.

Rather than treating the squad as two separate levels, Klopp has attempted to balance experience, youth, positions and personalities across the groups. It gives him something most international managers rarely have: extended access to a large collection of potential players in a single window. The experiment could also accelerate the process of identifying the core group Klopp wants to take Germany forward.

Germany's First Test Comes Against the Netherlands

The first major test of the Jürgen Klopp Germany era arrives on September 24, when Germany travel to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands in the Nations League. Three days later, Klopp's side will host Greece in Augsburg. The second group will then meet Serbia in Munich before travelling to Greece for the final match of the international period.

Those matches should provide Klopp with his first real evidence of how quickly his ideas can translate from training to competitive football. The manager has already acknowledged that he has limited time with the players. His answer is to establish an identifiable style quickly, one built around energy, defensive stability and a willingness to play with intensity.

Klopp Wants Germany to Feel Proud Again

Klopp's arrival is about more than tactics and team selection. At his squad announcement, he also spoke about the role the national team can play in German society.

Referencing recent political developments, Klopp said he did not want national pride to be left to extremist groups. Instead, he spoke of "positive patriotism", arguing that Germans should be able to celebrate their country while remaining open, diverse and welcoming. Reuters reported that his comments came after the far-right AfD's strong showing in a recent election in Saxony-Anhalt.

For Klopp, the Germany shirt can therefore represent both sporting ambition and a broader sense of togetherness.

The Beginning, Not the Finished Product

Klopp has made it clear that this first Germany squad 2026 is not a final selection or a fixed hierarchy. Players who were left out have not necessarily been ruled out, while those who have been called up still have to prove themselves.

That makes the next few weeks particularly intriguing. Established stars have to adapt to Klopp's demands, while newcomers have an opportunity to force their way into the conversation.

The first squad may contain 44 names, but Klopp's real objective is much smaller: to discover the group capable of defining the next era of German football. And with the Netherlands waiting in Amsterdam, that search is about to begin on the pitch.