Netherlands vs. Germany: UEFA Nations League preview and live blog

New-look Germany start life under Jürgen Klopp as they begin the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League away against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday (kick-off: 8.45pm CEST).

Klopp succeeded Julian Nagelsmann as Germany coach following the country’s early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. He begins his tenure with four games in the UEFA Nations League across September and October, naming two separate squads to tackle the four fixtures against the Netherlands, Greece (twice) and Serbia.

• Who’s in Klopp’s first squads?
• How did Klopp’s uncapped players fare after their call-up?
• How might Klopp’s Germany line up?

Follow build-up below:

VS

Netherlands

Thu, 24.09 18:45

Germany

Nations League
Group A2 Group A2 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam

Previous meeting

These two teams last met in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. Germany were the winners on that occasion, prevailing 1-0 thanks to Jamie Leweling's second-half strike.

© Adam Pretty

Ter Stegen back

After recovering from a serious injury, ter Stegen is back in the squad 15 months after his last cap. Having previously played second fiddle to Manuel Neuer for several years, he will now hope he can become number one in the long run.

© IMAGO/Laci Perenyi

Klopp explains squad selection

The decision to call up 44 players across two squads certainly raised eyebrows, but it gives the new head coach a chance to look at a variety of different players. "I want to get to know as many players as possible," he explained. "There is no A or B team. The squads are put together in a way that makes sense on the pitch and in terms of character and experience. There are few names here that will surprise, but we wanted it to be a part of their development We didn't look at what we were missing but rather what we have and realized how much football talent we have."

© Alex Grimm

Head-to-head

These two nations have a storied rivalry, facing off 48 times in total, including the 1974 FIFA World Cup final - won by West Germany at the time. All in all, Germany have won 18 times to the Netherlands' 12, with the former unbeaten in the last four.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Herbert R

Familiar faces in Netherlands squad

Two players plying their trade in the Bundesliga have been included in the Dutch squad for this game. Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen) should deputise for Bart Verbruggen, while Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund) is included amongst the midfielders.

© IMAGO/Bahho Kara

Squad changes

There have been a couple of changes to the squads for these Nations League fixtures. Brajan Gruda, who was in squad two, has had to withdraw due to an abdominal injury. Meanwhile, Lennart Karl, who was initially named in the group for this match and the one against Greece, has been moved to squad two for additional rest.

© Alex Grimm

Play video

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Watch: Germany's first squad arrives

The players selected for this encounter have arrived to begin their international duty.

Newbies

There are no fewer than seven uncapped players in the squad. Goalkeeper Dahmen, defenders Behrens, Rosenfelder and Treu, midfielders Conté and Engelhardt and striker Ebnoutalib will all be hoping to represent their country for the first time.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Gawlik

Germany squad

In an unconventional move, Klopp has named two 22-man squads for Germany's four internationals during this break. For this clash and the fixture versus Greece on Sunday 27 September, the squad is as follows: Marc-André ter Stegen, Alexander Nübel, Finn Dahmen, Hennes Behrens, Max Rosenfelder, Philipp Treu, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, Nathaniel Brown, Josha Vagnoman, Yann-Aurel Bisseck, Joshua Kimmich, Nadiem Amiri, Yannik Engelhardt, Felix Nmecha, Anton Stach, Bambasé Conté, Kai Havertz, Chris Führich, Jamal Musiala, Lennart Karl, Younes Ebnoutalib, Serge Gnabry, Kevin Schade.

© Robert Cianflone

Klopp's curtain-riser

Following the departure of Julian Nagelsmann on the back of Germany's disappointing 2026 FIFA World Cup, Jürgen Klopp has stepped into the breach, signing a four-year contract to take over as head coach. After spells with Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, Klopp will now lead his country out, with his latest dugout reign to begin in the Dutch capital. In his first outing, he will face another head coach beginning a new journey, with former Barcelona midfielder Xavi the newly appointed Netherlands boss.

© IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action as Germany face the Netherlands at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday 24 September (kick-off: 8.45pm CEST), getting their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign underway.