Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has been included in Germany's squad for the first time, following coach Julian Nagelsmann's announcement of the Nations League roster on Thursday. Ortega, 32, will join Stuttgart’s Alexander Nuebel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as goalkeepers in the 23-man squad.
Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen of Barcelona, remains sidelined due to a serious knee injury, which has opened the door for Ortega’s call-up.
Additionally, Borussia Dortmund midfielders Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha have been recalled to the squad. Brandt has not featured for Germany since November 2023, while Nmecha earned his only cap under former coach Hansi Flick in March 2023.
Germany is set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina at home in Freiburg on November 16 before traveling to Budapest to take on Hungary three days later. The team has already secured qualification for the Nations League quarterfinals with three wins and a draw.
“We aim to top our group and secure a win in front of our fans in Freiburg,” Nagelsmann stated on Thursday.
Several players are missing from the squad due to injuries, including West Ham’s Niclas Fuellkrug, Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, Bayern Munich’s Aleksander Pavlovic, and winger Leroy Sane, among others. Nagelsmann acknowledged the challenges posed by these absences but remained confident in the strength of his squad.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner, who is currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, declined the call-up to remain with Germany’s U-21 team. Wanner is still deciding whether to represent Austria or Germany at the senior level.