Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp has named his 24-man squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Serbia and the Netherlands. The selection marks a significant departure from the extraordinary 44-player group assembled during the September and October international window, with the Bundestrainer now beginning to narrow his options.
Germany face Serbia in Belgrade on November 13 before hosting the Netherlands in Berlin three days later. Get German Football News examines the five most important talking points emerging from Klopp’s latest selection.
I. Niclas Füllkrug returns after remarkable Werder Bremen revival
Naturally, the most prominent returnee is Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug. The 33-year-old has forced his way back into the national-team picture following an extraordinary opening to the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Nine goals in eight league appearances have established Füllkrug as Germany’s leading domestic goalscorer, providing a compelling argument for his inclusion despite Klopp’s earlier reservations about his age.
Füllkrug’s international prospects appeared considerably less promising only a few months ago. Following difficult spells with West Ham United and AC Milan, the veteran returned to Werder Bremen during the summer in an attempt to revive his career. Füllkrug himself notably grew tired of being asked about a German national team return, but will surely revel in his chance to once again feature for his country.
His performances have also prompted Klopp to reconsider a player who last received a Germany call-up in September 2025. Füllkrug’s return supplies Germany with an established penalty-area striker whose qualities differ from those of Kai Havertz and Younes Ebnoutalib. The Bremen forward’s aerial strength, hold-up play, and instinctive finishing could become particularly useful against opponents prepared to defend deeply.
With Germany having scored only three goals in their opening four Nations League matches, Füllkrug’s return arrives at an opportune moment.
II. Wael Mohya receives maiden Germany call-up
Borussia Mönchengladbach attacking midfielder Wael Mohya is the only player in Klopp’s November squad who has never previously received a senior call-up. The 17-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable emergence at Gladbach, registering four Bundesliga goals in 23 appearances before his 18th birthday in December.
Mohya has become an increasingly influential figure under Alexander Blessin, with his ability to beat defenders, carry possession through midfield, and create opportunities in tight spaces attracting considerable attention.
Mohya turned in a highly noteworthy performance at a recent Bundesliga covered in person by GGFN. Mohya particularly impressed during Gladbach’s recent victory over VfB Stuttgart, contributing a goal and an assist while repeatedly troubling the opposition defense.
His promotion represents another example of Klopp’s willingness to reward emerging Bundesliga talent. Mohya now has an opportunity to demonstrate that he belongs among the country’s leading attacking prospects.
III. Klopp retains faith in five recent debutants
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Klopp’s new selection is the continued inclusion of several players who received their first senior international opportunities during his opening camp. Five recent debutants have retained their places: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, Köln attacker Said El Mala, Freiburg duo Philipp Treu and Derry Scherhant, and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib.
Treu’s inclusion is particularly significant. The Freiburg fullback impressed during his first three appearances under Klopp, quickly demonstrating an understanding of the team’s attacking patterns and establishing himself as a serious candidate for further international involvement.
Urbig also impressed during his first appearances, keeping clean sheets against Serbia and Greece. His continued presence alongside Marc-André ter Stegen and Alexander Nübel ensures that the goalkeeper competition remains an interesting element of Klopp’s squad construction.
El Mala, Scherhant, and Ebnoutalib have likewise earned further opportunities after their initial exposure to senior international football. Two additional players remain in contention for their debuts. VfB Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch and RB Leipzig attacker Brajan Gruda were included in the previous selection but have yet to feature for the senior team. Gruda was forced to withdraw through injury.
IV. David Raum, Nick Woltemade, and Karim Adeyemi among notable omissions
The reduction from 44 players to 24 inevitably leaves several interesting names outside Klopp’s plans for November. RB Leipzig captain David Raum is one of the most prominent absentees. The 28-year-old has earned 40 senior international caps and previously occupied an important role on Germany’s left defensive flank.
Klopp has instead selected Bayern Munich’s Nathaniel Brown and Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstädt. The omission of Raum suggests that competition for places in Germany’s defensive setup is becoming increasingly intense, although it would be premature to interpret his absence as a permanent demotion.
Woltemade’s absence is particularly noteworthy given Germany’s limited attacking output during the opening Nations League fixtures. The Juventus striker was involved during Klopp’s previous international window but has not retained his place in the reduced squad. Adeyemi’s exclusion likewise removes a player capable of providing pace and directness in wide attacking areas.
Klopp has previously emphasized that players omitted from individual squads should not consider themselves permanently excluded. Nevertheless, the latest selection offers a clearer indication of which candidates currently enjoy his confidence.
V. Injuries also influence Klopp’s selection
Not every prominent absentee has been left out for sporting reasons. Bayern Munich attackers Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry are both unavailable through injury, depriving Klopp of two experienced international options.
Musiala’s absence is particularly frustrating given the circumstances of Germany’s previous international window. The attacking midfielder suffered a muscle-fibre tear in his right thigh during the warm-up before September’s 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.
The setback forced Klopp into an unexpected change to his starting lineup and subsequently resulted in Musiala leaving the national-team camp for treatment. Gnabry, meanwhile, suffered a muscular injury to his left hamstring during Bayern’s recent 2-2 Bundesliga draw against Borussia Dortmund.
Their absences reduce Germany’s attacking experience at a time when Klopp is attempting to establish greater consistency in the final third. They also create further opportunities for younger players. Lennart Karl, El Mala, Scherhant, Gruda, and Mohya will all be hoping to strengthen their claims while more established attacking figures remain unavailable.
Germany’s full November 2026 squad
Goalkeepers:
Alexander Nübel (Beşiktaş), Marc-André ter Stegen (Ajax Amsterdam), Jonas Urbig (Bayern Munich)
Defenders:
Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Bayern Munich), Finn Jeltsch (VfB Stuttgart), Maximilian Mittelstädt (VfB Stuttgart), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United), Philipp Treu (SC Freiburg)
Midfielders:
Tom Bischof (Bayern Munich), Said El Mala (1. FC Köln), Brajan Gruda (RB Leipzig), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Wael Mohya (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich), Derry Scherhant (SC Freiburg), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Forwards:
Younes Ebnoutalib (Eintracht Frankfurt), Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen), Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
